This year, Apple has made a significant change by shifting to aluminum for the construction of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This shift promises improved heat transfer and several advantages compared to the previous materials like titanium alloy and stainless steel. But one pressing question arises: was this switch also intended to enhance the durability of Apple’s flagship devices? To answer this, PhoneBuff conducted a series of six drop tests, putting the iPhone 17 Pro Max against the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which features a robust titanium alloy chassis.
PhoneBuff has taken substantial steps to refine its testing methods, aiming for a more accurate representation of how these devices perform under real-world conditions. The video begins with an explanation of the new testing methodology applied to both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Throughout the testing, six drops were executed, with the first three assessing different sides of the devices and the latter three focusing on increased drop heights.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the drop test results:
1-Meter Back DropThe first test involved a drop from a height of one meter onto its back. The iPhone 17 Pro Max sustained a cracked rear glass, though the damage was less severe compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Notably, the area around the telephoto camera on the iPhone showed signs of caving in, while Samsung’s flagship suffered damage to its laser autofocus unit and significant harm to both telephoto lenses.
1-Meter Corner DropIn the corner drop test at the same height, the iPhone 17 Pro Max struggled to absorb the impact, showing visible scuffs and a dent. This can be attributed to the malleability of aluminum compared to the durability of titanium alloy used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which showcased impressive resilience during this test.
1-Meter Front DropDuring the front drop, the OLED screen of the iPhone 17 Pro Max cracked, with damage extending to the front camera, resulting in lens flares. Fortunately, Face ID functionality remained intact. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also faced damage, but its fingerprint sensor continued to operate without issues.
1.5-Meter Back DropIncreasing the drop height to 1.5 meters, the unibody aluminum chassis of the iPhone 17 Pro Max once again proved beneficial, sustaining less damage compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which experienced broken rear camera lenses. The ultrawide-angle unit of the Galaxy was completely shattered, resulting in significantly degraded image quality.
1.5-Meter Corner DropIn the corner drop from 1.5 meters, the iPhone 17 Pro Max exhibited some paint stripping, and its 1x camera lost the ability to focus. Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Ultra appeared almost impervious to damage, highlighting the advantages of its titanium alloy chassis.
1.5-Meter Front DropIn the final drop at 1.5 meters, both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra suffered comparable damage. PhoneBuff concluded this drop test with a surprising tie, emphasizing that while each device has its unique strengths and weaknesses, the outcomes varied based on the drop angles and materials used.
In summary, the drop test results indicate that while both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra have their merits, neither phone emerged as an outright winner. The tests provided valuable insights into the durability of these flagship smartphones, particularly considering Apple’s switch to aluminum. As we look ahead, if Samsung decides to incorporate aluminum into the Galaxy S26 Ultra next year, it could inherit similar strengths and weaknesses as seen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
