Apple made waves recently with the launch of the iPhone 15, particularly in its ‘Pro’ series. Notable upgrades included a titanium build and the inclusion of a USB Type-C port. While the USB Type-C implementation in the iPhone 15 Pro proved impressive, a recent drop test has raised questions about the expected durability of its titanium body.
A prominent YouTuber, PhoneBuff, conducted a rigorous drop test comparing the Galaxy S23 Ultra with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, aiming to assess whether the iPhone’s upgraded titanium body delivered real-world advantages. The test, conducted using robotic arms to ensure fairness, took place under controlled conditions.
In the first round, a waist-level back-facing drop led to the iPhone’s back shattering with wide cracks, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra suffered smaller cracks on two corners, despite its aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
The second round involved corner-first drops. Here, the titanium frame of the iPhone created sparks upon impact but remained relatively undamaged. However, the iPhone’s rear glass started to detach. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s aluminum frame got slightly deformed but was otherwise functional. Both phones survived this round.
In the third test, the phones were dropped with their screens facing down, resulting in significant cracks on both screens. However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra fared slightly worse due to its curved screen. Nonetheless, both phones remained operational, with the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s in-display fingerprint reader still functional.
After a final round of high drops, the Galaxy S23 Ultra maintained its form from the previous test, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max exhibited even more shattered glass on both the front and rear.
When averaging the results from all four rounds, the Galaxy S23 Ultra emerged as the winner, despite its aluminum frame. This raises doubts about the practical advantages of Apple’s titanium implementation in real-world scenarios.
Looking ahead, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to feature a titanium body, and consumers hope that it will offer improved durability compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. While titanium is stronger than aluminum at the same weight, Apple’s use of titanium in the iPhone 15 Pro aimed to reduce weight, making it a challenging comparison. However, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra expected to maintain a similar weight to its predecessor, the potential benefits of a rumored titanium frame are eagerly anticipated.
