Galaxy S9: Drop test shows how easily Samsung's flagship can break
How well does Samsung's new Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus do against drops? It's not very surprising. You should expect a lot of shattered glass and despair.
Read also: Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus: The 12 most exciting features
Phone warranty company SquareTrade performed a drop test (more like torture test) with the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus from a variety of different heights. While Samsung's new phones are more durable than Apple's iPhone X and its own Galaxy S8 released a year earlier, Galaxy S9 owners should still expect cracked glass if it hits the pavement.
Samsung touts a "refined Infinity display" on the Galaxy S9 to supply enhanced durability. It bumped the thickness over previous models 20 percent from 0.5T to 0.6T.
SquareTrade found after dropping the Galaxy S9 on its back from six feet, the phone shattered and starburst and hairline cracks appeared. When dropped on the front, the Galaxy S9 had loose glass and hairline cracks.
Read also: Samsung vs Apple: Galaxy S9 screen beats iPhone X's, new display tests say
SquareTrade also tested how the Galaxy S9 lineup faired against bending and tumbling. In terms of repairability, SquareTrade found it's not easy. The LCD can be easily broken while attempting repairs, and it's difficult to remove the back panel.
"All of that glass means that durability has actually gone backward over the past year," SquareTrade global creative director Jason Siciliano told CNET in a statement.
Maybe Galaxy S9 owners should consider a case.
Best Samsung Galaxy S9 cases, accessories, and wireless chargers
Previous and related coverage
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus vs Galaxy Note 8: Flagship confusion galore
Samsung's launch of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus at Mobile World Congress just five months after the Galaxy Note 8's release sets up a nice debate over how the company should approach its innovation cadence.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Android perfection achieved
Samsung is the world's top smartphone manufacturer and has perfected the Android smartphone to the point where there is nothing lacking in the S9 Plus. Combined with excellent reception and solid phone performance the S9 Plus is going to be tough to beat in 2018.