The folks over at PhoneBuff have just share their latest drop test, comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and its clear that both flagship devices have evolved significantly in terms of durability.
Samsung has transitioned to an all-aluminum frame, while the iPhone features a semi-metal back. Both phones utilize high-end glass, Gorilla Armor and Victus for Samsung, and Ceramic Shield for Apple, though their resilience varied significantly across the tests.
In terms of physical design, Samsung’s refined corners aim to reduce impact damage, yet the move away from titanium may have contributed to certain vulnerabilities observed during the drops. Meanwhile, Apple’s choice of materials appears to provide a slight edge in maintaining structural integrity under extreme stress.
The test began with a one-metre drop onto the phones’ back panels. While both devices suffered cracked rear glass, the Galaxy S26 Ultra took a more severe hit. Its telephoto lens was completely shattered, and the ultrawide lens developed a hairline crack. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s damage was confined to its glass section, leaving its camera lenses entirely intact. This gave Apple the first win.
Round two focused on the frame’s resilience. Both phones showed scuffs on their aluminum frames, but the iPhone experienced a visible dent and deformation. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, however, only suffered minor surface scuffs, demonstrating superior corner strength and securing its first victory.
Dropping both phones face-down resulted in cracked screens for both. However, the Galaxy S26 Ultra performed better, as its cracks were more contained. The iPhone’s screen experienced extensive spiderwebbing that affected its front-facing camera.
To see the full drop test in action and see which flagship performed better overall, watch the video embedded below.
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