Smartphone manufacturers are further advancing their devices with artificial intelligence (AI) and stronger materials, however, as these products get even smarter their durability appears to suffer.
The new Samsung Galaxy S24 series has been on the market for a little under two weeks, having been introduced with several AI inundated features, including real-time translation, AI-aided texting, and generative photo editing.
Samsung has also introduced an updated titanium frame on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which it claims is supposed to increase the strength of the device. Additionally, the brand outfitted this model’s display with the latest Corning Gorilla Armor, touted as the strongest version of the protective covering.
However, recent durability drop tests conducted by Allstate Protection Plans have determined that not only did all three models of the Galaxy S24 series perform poorly, but they also fared worse than the previous Samsung Galaxy S23 series, which itself barely scraped by during its test.
Allstate Protection Plans’ durability tests entail single front-down and back-down drops from a six-foot height onto a sidewalk. The standard Galaxy S24 experienced shattering of its screen during the first front-down drop, which also raised and loosened the glass. The device was rendered non-functional with a display failure after being powered on. The model also saw cracking along the top and bottom of its rear during its back-down drop.
The Galaxy S24 Plus experienced shattering during its front-down drop, causing a display malfunction after the device was turned on. The model especially saw loose and missing glass on its left side which was most apparent once it was powered on. The rear panel of the Galaxy S24 Plus was completely damaged during its back-down drop, with the most shattering seen in the upper right corner. The 10-megapixel and 12-megapixel lenses both experienced damage, with the latter having glass missing.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra experienced shattering, which damaged the top section of the display along the front camera lens as well as a bottom corner during its front-down drop. This drop also left the device non-functional once powered on, revealing more damage on its right side. The Galaxy S24 Ultra also shattered across its back panel during its back-down drop, with the most damage seen in the lower left corner.
All three Galaxy S24 models remained functional after back-drops, though the two camera lenses on the Galaxy S24 Plus malfunctioned. The devices required protective cases to prevent the splintered glass from harming users.
In comparison, the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra survived their drop tests, despite experiencing severe shattering on both the front and back. Notably, the predecessor smartphones include similar materials as the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 Plus, such as Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protective covering for their displays.
Other teardowns to determine durability have also shown potential shortcomings in the Galaxy S24 design. According to Zach Nelson of JerryRigEverything, The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a mix of Grade 2 titanium, 6061 aluminum, and plastic. Meanwhile a current top competitor, Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro uses a stronger Grade 5 titanium for its frame. In a previous teardown of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Nelson revealed that the device used a solid block of aluminum as its frame while noting that the use of titanium on both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro were largely cosmetic.
The Galaxy S24 series includes the 6.2-inch display standard Galaxy S24, the 6.7-inch display Galaxy S24 Plus, and the 6.8-display Galaxy S24 Ultra. Allstate Protection Plans noted that despite thin-bezel designs, devices are skewing larger, and users are more comfortable handling smartphones with one hand. This makes them susceptible to accidents. In a poll, the brand uncovered that 89 percent of users report using their phones with one hand, while 78 percent of users report dropping their phones when using them with one hand.
Smartphone prices remain steady, with the standard Galaxy S24 starting at $799, the Galaxy S24 Plus starting at $999, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1299. However, consumers are spending even more on their devices through repairs and replacements, approximately $8.3 billion in the last year. The brand noted that display damage is among the most common occurrences, costing an average of $244.
To mitigate some of these costs, Allstate Protection Plans considers getting a case and/or screen protector a “wise choice” when considering any of these models, in addition to considering a protection plan.
