Test Dropped: Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3

I don’t know which phone is more durable, and I won’t argue the point. My choose GS3 over iPhone 5 despite durability between the two. However, I have to point out some obvious differences between your tests.

When you dropped both phones, the GS3 landed face down where the initial impact was on the glass, however when the iPhone 5 hit the ground it was with one of the metal edges. That will certainly make a huge difference in damage to the phone.

I am not sure about your water tests, however I noticed both were working when you pulled them out of the water… not sure what happened between that point and when you demonstrated them.

As for the tests where you dropped things on the two phones, again the point of impact was quite different. The beer bottle impacted the iPhone with the side of the bottle creating a more even weight distribution on the glass, where as it hit the GS3 with the bottom edge of the bottle which puts a lot more impact on that point of the glass.

Perhaps you should have done multiple tests allowing for the same types of impacts, however I am sure you had a limited amount of devices to destroy. Ultimately, this test really doesn’t give any valuable info.

I agree with Trent, the drop test is only for people who have plenty of devices to destroy. Don’t attempt a drop test unless you have several of each devices on hand, unless you want to come out looking like you favor one device over the other. With that being said, I call this drop test incomplete.

Both phones have the same glass, so the tests where you did the drop, seems like you favored the iPhone with the point of impact and the negligence to add that the point of impact would have demolished both screens regardless. It doesn’t matter how hard or strong a screen is, if you hit it in the spots where you hit the Galaxy S3, the glass WILL shatter. To compare, I’ll say that if someone was to break a window of a car, they would pit the side (interestly where the Galaxy S3 was hit) and watch the glass spiderweb. You can do that to ANY car/truck/van etc. The fact that the Galaxy S3 didn’t shatter all the way around is actually impressive coming from someone who specializes in auto body repair.

And on a side note, the iPad give away at the beginning was a HUGE indicator on where this video was going.

The water damage test was completely fair. Since I have personally dropped my iPhone 3 & 4 into liquid and they both still worked this does sway me to stick with the line. I usually invest in a good case, but that doesn’t protect against liquids which I am prone to do.

Your tests between the two are not accurate. Watch your video. The drop test on the pavement had the S3 landing on its face while the iphone 5 landed squarely on the end which is a stronger portion of either phone. the test of household items was also flawed with the bottle test. Watch your video. the weight distribution of the bottle hitting the iphone was far different than the one with the s3. The s3 took a direct hit from the corner of the bottom of the bottle. To do a scientific test you have to have the objects impact the phone in the same direction under the same velocity. Your test was far less than scientific and therefore not of value. I would like to see the same test on the razr which promotes durability. I have none of the 3 phones so have no bias.

I totally agree with Trent, your tests were totally bogus and definitely biased toward the iPhone!