The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are among the hottest new smartphones of this year, but which phone wins for the superior durability?
Both handsets come packed with a slew of top-notch specs and features to make them worthy of the flagship title, as well as a sleek design to make them look and feel premium.
Both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ sport the same design language and look stylish and elegant, but that gorgeous glass-sandwich design seems rather frail. Glass can crack or shatter during accidental drops or bumps and although the handsets have enforced glass, they're still more vulnerable than other devices with full-metal designs.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Drop Tests
A recent drop test that surfaced earlier this week showed the Galaxy S8 taking quite a beating, indicating that fans would have to cover up that sleek design with protective gear to keep it out of harm's way.
A newer drop test, however, brings more hope as it shows the Galaxy S8+ performing quite admirably during an extended drop test, especially considering its glass-sandwich design.
Galaxy S8 Plus vs iPhone 7 Plus Drop Test
The new Galaxy S8+ drop test, conducted by YouTuber EverythingApplePro, pits it against the iPhone 7 Plus, which has an aluminum build. The good news here is that the glass on the Galaxy S8+ didn't break as easily as it did in the previous test. More specifically, the front glass panel handled significantly more drops, albeit the rear glass panel shattered quite fast. On the bright side, this indicates that using a protective rear case could suffice to keep the smartphone safe and in one piece.
The thorough drop test considered several scenarios to check the smartphones' durability. As expected, the shorter the distance to the ground and the smoother the surface on which it lands, the less damage it takes.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 7 Plus performed arguably better in the drop tests, but that's hardly surprising. The aluminum build enabled the iPhone 7 Plus to handle most drops better than the Galaxy S8+ did. Of course, surface and height play a big part in the outcome, but overall the iPhone 7 Plus is more durable than the Galaxy S8+.
Needless to mention, neither the Samsung Galaxy S8+ nor the iPhone 7 Plus are indestructible - they're not even shock-proof. They will take a drop or two without falling apart, but it might be best to invest in some protective gear to keep the smartphones in top shape.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ made their debut in late March and went up for preorder, but won't ship until April 21 in the United States. More durability tests will surely make their way online once the smartphones officially hit the scene and we'll keep an eye out to see how the new Galaxy flagships perform.
For now, the first drop tests show mixed outcomes. Without further ado, check out the video below to see the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and iPhone 7 Plus handle multiple drops to test their durability.
