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Uncategorized Friday, September 21st 2012 at 11:45 am

iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S III Drop Test

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It’s that time of year again, when Apple releases a new device and it and its rival device have to be dropped on a hard surface from terrifying heights. You know, so we learn not to drop our expensive, delicate pocket computers, because we don’t know not to do that before seeing the extent of the damage. With the iPhone 5 shipping today, it’s probably best to get this drop test out of the way so you can be sufficiently scared of dropping your new expensive toy. However, compared to last generation’s iPhone 4S vs. the Samsung Galaxy S II drop test, this test yields some surprising results.

The test, brought to us by the brave folk at Android Authority, is not for the faint of heart.

Android Authority performs a drop of the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III at three different heights they deemed to be the most common heights at which people drop their phones. First, from the pocket, then from the chest, simulating dropping it while lifting it up to your ear, then finally from the ear itself. Last year, the iPhone 4S did not fare nearly as well as its Samsung rival, but this year, the iPhone 5 seems to be a tougher device, surviving all three drops without any screen destruction, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S III’s screen sustains damage before the final test. Definitely surprising, because though Apple builds some aesthetically pleasing hardware, we’re certainly not used to it being very tough.

Of course, the Android Authority test, though brave and helpful, didn’t drop the two rival phones at the same angle and onto the exact same spots, so while the above drop test does provide some useful information, it doesn’t provide any finite proof of durability.

Either way, the message is pretty clear: Don’t drop your expensive phone.

(via Android Authority)

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  • http://twitter.com/ScottIsLoud Scott Lougheed

    In reference to the 4s/galaxy comparison, you state that “the iphone 4S did not fare nearly as well as its samsung rival”. If you actually watch the video, they both appear to meet the same end, a completely smashed display with no touch response. Care to explain how having both phone rendered non-functional could be interpreted as the 4S no faring nearly as well?

    Perhaps a more accurate comparison of the two videos/drop tests would be this:

    In last year’s test of the Galaxy and 4S, both phones met similar fates. However, this year, the iPhone 5 seems to be a tougher device, surviving all three drops without any screen destruction. The Galaxy S III came out better than last years test as well, but sustained more damage than the 5.

  • http://www.facebook.com/blackwater52 J.D. Douglass

    Where would we be without empirical data? “Better living through geeks.”

  • Asreal

    There are many ways in which you can let people know they’ve made a mistake. I see you’ve gone for the “complete cock” method. Nice…

  • http://www.facebook.com/blackwater52 J.D. Douglass

    What is not clear to me is if new phones were used for each of the three drops, or if the same 2 phones are dropped over and over. If the latter method was used, it doesn’t provide as realistic results, since the phone would be partly damaged already.

    Samsung drop #2 cracked the screen, which meant the case was at least a bit damaged. So if that same phone was then dropped from a higher point, the amount of resulting damage would have been exacerbated from the earlier drop. Better science — but more expensive science — to have used new phones for each phase.

  • Jack

    Wow, finally an iPhone that doesn’t shatter from a 1 foot drop.

    After what, 2 years? And all the iSheep are now acting like pent up douches, pounding their chests at this video.

    Typical crapple fan behavior. They’re deprived of the most basic features of phones for years, and then when they finally receive it, they act like the king of the hill.

    Inferiority complex anyone?

  • http://www.facebook.com/troyldailey Troy Dailey

    You mean like that chest beating and whining from people that don’t like apple? I have an iphone….it’s a fucking tool just like my ohmmeter, my cordless drill, and my estwing hammer. Phones are just tools. When I had a samsung…it was just a tool. I am so sick of this whining and bitching from both ifans and droid-bots…It reminds me of listening to conservatives and democrats.

  • Dr. Coene

    The third Galaxy drop landed much worse than the iPhone 5 drop, which didn’t land on its corner nearly as bad as the Galaxy did. Just saying.

    I’ve had my Droid Incredible for years, dropped it multiple times, it’s barely dinged. No cracking. Still works beautifully. I don’t even want to upgrade.

  • Anonymous

    It doesn’t seem like a very fair test, it looked like he threw the SIII each time as opposed to just letting it fall like the iPhone 5 lol

  • http://twitter.com/ScottIsLoud Scott Lougheed

    Lets see you try.

  • Idlethoughts

    You fool! Do you not see that it is our sacred duty as worshipers of the one true Device to flame the heathens an infidels who would dare enjoy or appreciate a false phone which they hath bought with their own money. We must wipe the smudge that they are from the touch screen of the world! This is our cause.
    *I’m joking, incase anyone couldn’t tell*