Galaxy S25 Ultra's Durability and Repairability Explored
When it comes to smartphones, fragility is often part of the package. With glass surfaces on both sides protecting sensitive electronics, most devices are susceptible to breaks and cracks despite the advancements in materials science.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has entered the market claiming to be the "slimmest, lightest, and most durable Galaxy Ultra device ever." It features a stylish titanium frame paired with Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2. Corning, the manufacturer, advertises that this glass can withstand drops from as high as 7.2 feet onto concrete.
However, the real-world performance paints a different picture. Allstate Protection Plans conducted a Breakability Drop Test on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the results left much to be desired. A front-down drop from a height of six feet onto concrete shattered the screen, making the device unusable. Additionally, the device's speaker also stopped functioning after the drop. A similar drop from the back also caused the back glass to shatter and resulted in scuffs on two larger camera lenses. Despite this damage, the phone remained operational, including the camera features.
In the side-drop test, the titanium frame displayed only minor damage.
Considering the starting price of $1,299, any damage incurred will be a significant concern for users.
In a further assessment, Allstate also checked the functionality of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's AI features after each drop. ProVisual Engine, Gemini Live, and Circle to Search remained functional after drops onto the back and side. However, the AI features were disabled when the phone was dropped front-down.
Amid the worrying damage reports, iFixit offered a glimmer of hope. The repair specialists conducted a teardown of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, referring to it as "the most repairable Galaxy phone in years.” iFixit assigned the device a provisional score of 5 out of 10 on its smartphone repairability scale, marking a notable improvement from previous Samsung flagship models.
One noteworthy aspect of the phone's design includes the use of four sticky tabs to secure the battery, allowing for a battery removal process that does not require heat, prybars, or solvents—tools that could risk damaging the battery or even lead to dangerous situations like explosions.
On the downside, iFixit pointed out that Samsung's use of adhesives to secure the display and back glass complicates repairs. This approach requires new adhesives for reassembly, adding to the complexity of repairs.
Additionally, there are concerns regarding Samsung's official repair resources, which are seen as incomplete. The practice of bundling parts keeps repair costs high and can make certain repairs impractical.
durability, repairability, GalaxyS25Ultra