Punishing Durability Test Shows Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Cracks Easier Than Apple iPhone 6
Apple took a lot of heat over complaints that its iPhone 6 and especially iPhone 6 Plus devices were prone to bending, even from just storing them in pockets as normal. The situation became known as "bendgate" and Samsung wasted little time capitalizing on the situation, but was it a case of the pot calling the kettle black? A durability test conducted by insurance firm Square Trade reveals that Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge bends just as easily as Apple's newer iPhone models, and breaks entirely under less pressure.
Square Trade revisited tests it ran during bendgate, this time focusing on three handsets -- Apple's iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge, and HTC's One M9. Each device was put in a machine that applies pressure to the center of the display. Two measurements were taken for each device, one that indicates how much pressure was needed to bend the phone, and a second that reflects the amount of pressure required to actually break it (cease functioning, in other words).
Both the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy S6 Edge bent at 110 pounds of pressure for a virtual draw, however the screen on the Galaxy S6 Edge also cracked at that point, though remained functional. At 149 pounds of pressure, the Galaxy S6 Edge gave up the ghost, while the iPhone 6 Plus was able to withstand 179 pounds of pressure before it too was destroyed.
As for the One M9, it bent at 120 pounds of pressure, and because the power button is located at the center of the device near the breaking point, it no longer functioned when bent.
So, what's the takeaway from all this? It depends on how you look at it. Based on the numbers alone, the Galaxy S6 Edge is more fragile than the iPhone 6 Plus and perhaps just as deserving as the bendgate label. That's not surprising since Samsung switched to a similar design as Apple.
However, you also argue that this is all blown out of proportion. Sure, if you're sticking a smartphone, sans case, in your back pocket and sitting down, we could see how it would be prone to bending. But under normal use, your smartphone should never see 100+ pounds of pressure.
What's your take on all this? Sound off in the comments section!
Square Trade revisited tests it ran during bendgate, this time focusing on three handsets -- Apple's iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung's Galaxy S6 Edge, and HTC's One M9. Each device was put in a machine that applies pressure to the center of the display. Two measurements were taken for each device, one that indicates how much pressure was needed to bend the phone, and a second that reflects the amount of pressure required to actually break it (cease functioning, in other words).
Both the iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy S6 Edge bent at 110 pounds of pressure for a virtual draw, however the screen on the Galaxy S6 Edge also cracked at that point, though remained functional. At 149 pounds of pressure, the Galaxy S6 Edge gave up the ghost, while the iPhone 6 Plus was able to withstand 179 pounds of pressure before it too was destroyed.
As for the One M9, it bent at 120 pounds of pressure, and because the power button is located at the center of the device near the breaking point, it no longer functioned when bent.
So, what's the takeaway from all this? It depends on how you look at it. Based on the numbers alone, the Galaxy S6 Edge is more fragile than the iPhone 6 Plus and perhaps just as deserving as the bendgate label. That's not surprising since Samsung switched to a similar design as Apple.
However, you also argue that this is all blown out of proportion. Sure, if you're sticking a smartphone, sans case, in your back pocket and sitting down, we could see how it would be prone to bending. But under normal use, your smartphone should never see 100+ pounds of pressure.
What's your take on all this? Sound off in the comments section!
