Picture This: Samsung Galaxy S20 Phones Shatter In SquareTrade Breakability Test

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New phones, new cameras, old problem. Samsung's new Galaxy S20 phones may take great pictures, especially the S20 Ultra's 108-megapixel camera and 100x zoom, but just be sure you don't drop them. That's because the new phones, and their new camera housings, shattered in a breakability test from SquareTrade, an Allstate company and highly rated protection plan provider.

Introduced in 2013, the SquareTrade Breakability Score gives consumers an independent assessment of the durability of devices and how they live up to the rigors of our everyday lives. It considers the physical characteristics of a device, such as size, components, and the materials that affect repairability, as well as how they perform in standardized robotic tests that represent the most common damage scenarios for mobile phones.

After testing the Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, SquareTrade found that the smaller S20 was especially susceptible to damage when dropped, tumbled, and bent. The S20+ and huge S20 Ultra 5G fared better, but still shattered on their first sidewalk drops, both face-down and back-down.

The full Breakability Score video can be found here and reveals:

• Face-Down Drop Tests: After one face-down sidewalk drop from 6 feet, the S20's screen shattered and went completely black (not usable). The S20+ shattered and malfunctioned in one corner (barely usable). The S20 Ultra 5G suffered hairline fractures and loose glass was present on the front of the phone (but was usable).
• Back-Down Drop Tests: After one back-down sidewalk drop from 6 feet, the S20's back panel was cracked and the camera housing shattered with loose glass present (not usable). The S20+ shattered but the camera housing survived (usable), and the S20 Ultra 5G completely shattered, including the camera housing (not usable).
• Bend Tests: The S20 bent and suffered a cracked screen causing it to malfunction at 184.6 lbs. of pressure (not usable). The S20+ bent at 170.8 lbs. of pressure (but was usable), and the S20 Ultra bent at 200.7 lbs. of pressure (but was usable).
• Tumble Tests: After 60 seconds of tumbling, the S20 shattered front and back in addition to suffering a cracked OLED display that rendered much of the screen black (not usable). The S20+ cracked front and shattered back (but was usable), and the S20 Ultra cracked front and back in addition to suffering occasional screen malfunctions (in need of repair).  
• Dunk Tests: All three S20 models survived 30 minutes in five feet of water without any damage.
• Repairability: All three S20 phones have identical screws for all fasteners, simplifying repairs. However, overall repairability was similar to previous Galaxy models (medium/difficult).

"The quality of the cameras in Samsung Galaxy phones has always been exceptional and the photo capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G are next-level," said Jason Siciliano, SquareTrade's vice president of marketing and creative director. "However, our tests revealed the new enormous camera housing 'bump' design is susceptible to damage when dropped. Given the cost of the Galaxy S20 phones, and the cost to repair them, it should probably be handled with the care of a high-end camera rather than a phone—and getting a case is a must."

SquareTrade knows life moves fast and device durability is important. The company recommends using screen protectors and phone cases, in addition to having a protection plan. For more information on protection plans for today's most popular smartphones, please visit: www.SquareTrade.com.

About SquareTrade 

SquareTrade, an Allstate company, is a highly rated protection plan provider trusted by millions of customers for its fast and efficient service. SquareTrade protects mobile devices, laptops and tablets, and other consumer electronics and appliances from malfunctions, accidental damage, and life's frequent mishaps. A member of the Allstate family, SquareTrade is headquartered in San Francisco and London. For more information, go to www.SquareTrade.com.

SquareTrade PR Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE SquareTrade, an Allstate company

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