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iPhone 6: More Durable Than Galaxy S5?

SquareTrade ran Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus through "everyday accident" tests to measure their stamina.

By Stephanie Mlot
September 22, 2014
Apple iPhone 6 Line

Go ahead, toss your new iPhone to a rambunctious toddler—Apple's large handsets are more durable than their predecessors, according to protection platform SquareTrade.

In a new study, the company ran Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus through a number of "everyday accident" tests to measure their stamina.

iPhone BreakabilityOn a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most breakable, the iPhone 6 scored a "medium risk" of 4, while the iPhone 6 came in at 5. That topped the iPhone 5s at 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 at 6.5.

Testing is based on several factors, including size, weight, grip, and the quality of the device's back and front panels, and is conducted by robots to ensure consistency.

SquareTrade also conducts a slide evaluation to measure how far the phone moves when pushed on its back across a table. No survey is complete, however, without the classic drop and water tests: all phones are let go of from a height of 4 feet, and submerged in water for 10 seconds.

Both handsets fared well, though Apple's phablet-sized iPhone 6 Plus—with a 1,920-by-1,080 quad-HD display and A8 processor—was docked a few points for its tendency to slip out of the user's hand. That's something PCMag found in its review of the device. "While the 6 Plus's all-metal body feels significantly more premium than the Galaxy Note does, it's a little slipperier, and I fear I'm going to break the screen when I drop it. Get a case," wrote our lead mobile analyst, Sascha Segan.

The slick back on the iPhone 6 already gave one new owner a brief heart attack. Aussie Jack was caught on camera during a live morning news interview in Perth excitedly opening his new phone - and promptly dropping it on the ground. Luckily for him, the device remained intact.

"As we saw with the ill-fated mishap of the first iPhone 6 buyer in Australia, accidents are still going to happen," Ty Shay, chief marketing officer at SquareTrade, said in a statement. "Americans have spent over $10 billion on iPhone repair and replacement since their release, and we expect that unfortunate trend to continue."

Apple review, Apple commentary, Apple news... Everything Apple Naturally, SquareTrade would prefer you invest in one of its protection plans to prevent such tragedies. But early adopters can also ensure their new phone's safety with one of PCMag's favorite cases for the iPhone 6 (slideshow above) and iPhone 6 Plus.

And while Apple's latest gadgets may be a risk for clumsy users, they are relatively easy to repair, according to iFixit's latest report, which rated both handsets a reasonable 7 out of 10.

For more, see PCMag's reviews of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus. Also check out iPhone 6 vs. iPhone 6 Plus: Big or Bigger?

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About Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

Stephanie Mlot

B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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