Galaxy S24 series performs worse than Galaxy S23 in drop test

Samsung‘s Galaxy S24 phones are better than their predecessors in several areas, but durability may not be among them. In a drop test on the Allstate Protection Plans YouTube channel, the new flagships performed worse than the Galaxy S23 lineup. The devices were unusable after just one drop on the screen from six feet (1.8 meters) high.

The Galaxy S24 series may not be as strong as the Galaxy S23

Allstate Protection Plans is a YouTube channel best known for performing breakability tests on newly released smartphones. The tests involve dropping the devices from head height (six feet) onto concrete multiple times until they are unusable. The phones are first dropped on their back, followed by a face-down drop.

All three Galaxy S24 models suffered major damage on the first drop. The base model “cracked across the top and bottom of its back panel”, while the Plus completely shattered. The latter suffered the most severe damage in the top right corner. Its 10MP 3x zoom camera and 12MP ultrawide camera lenses were shattered, so much so that the cameras no longer worked. The two phones were still functional, though.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra also suffered similar damage on the back, with its lower left corner taking the worst hit. The device worked fine when turned on, which was expected. However, the second drop with the screen facing down rendered all Galaxy S24 phones unusable. The devices had their screens shattered after striking onto a sidewalk from a six-foot-high freefall.

Compared to the Galaxy S23 series, the new Samsung flagships turned out to be less durable. The 2023 lineup exhibited better strength in a similar breakability from Allstate Protection Plans, particularly the Ultra model. This is concerning because the new phone is upgraded to a titanium frame and a flat display with Corning’s Gorilla Armor protection, which is said to be stronger than other Gorilla Glasses.

That said, this test doesn’t necessarily reflect a real-life scenario. More importantly, it isn’t an absolute conclusion that last year’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is stronger than the newly released Galaxy S24 Ultra. Case in point, a similar drop test by a different YouTube channel recently suggested a stronger build for the new phone when dropped from a waist height.

Using a case is a good idea

As careful as you might be, and as strong as your phone might be, accidents happen. In a survey by Allstate Protection Plans, 78% of smartphone users reported dropping their phone while using it one-handed. Damaged screens, which are the most common form of smartphone damage, cost Americans $8.3 billion last year. So, using a case is always a good idea. You can check out these best Galaxy S24 cases.