**iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra Drop Test: They Shatter Just As Quickly**
The iPhone 17 and iPhone Air have unveiled design improvements focused on enhancing durability, with Apple emphasizing these attributes during their latest launch event. The iPhone 17 Pros feature aluminum unibody designs, with metal extending over the camera area to improve heat dissipation. Both the front and rear of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are safeguarded by Ceramic Shield 2, which is three times more scratch-resistant compared to earlier versions. The iPhone Air also utilizes Ceramic Shield 2 on the front, while the back is fully shielded by Ceramic Shield glass.
Recent real-time durability evaluations shared on social media have illustrated that the new iPhones exhibit greater strength than their forerunners. The initial drop test of the iPhone 17 Pro Max indicated that the device endured various drops without damage to its glass surfaces. In spite of its slim profile, the iPhone Air demonstrated resistance to bending. Nonetheless, these evaluations also indicated that the aluminum may scuff readily upon impact, and the iPhone 17 Pros have been criticized for susceptibility to scratches.
A methodical drop test conducted by PhoneBuff, a YouTube channel, pitted Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max against Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. PhoneBuff uses a robot to ensure uniform drop conditions, employing a sandpaper surface to mimic concrete. In the experiment, both devices were dropped from a height of 1 meter (3.3 feet) across three scenarios: back, corner, and front. The rear glass fractured on both smartphones, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra also suffering damage to its camera glass. The corner drop resulted in notable scuffing and denting on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, although its display remained undamaged. However, both screens cracked when dropped face down, with the crack in the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s display causing lens flaring on the front camera.
Repeating the test from 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) exacerbated the damage, leading to further shattering of both phones’ glass covers. Importantly, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s primary camera focus was compromised by the second corner drop. The verdict is evident: protective accessories, such as screen protectors and cases, are vital for the iPhone 17 Pro Max to reduce the chances of incidental damage.
