Durability is always a hot topic when new flagships launch, and this year the conversation has centered on Apple’s switch back to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Samsung, on the other hand, has stuck with titanium on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. A new drop test from YouTube channel PhoneBuff puts the two side by side to see how the materials hold up in real-world falls.
The test used a robotic drop rig to ensure consistency, dropping both phones from 1 and 1.5 meters onto a rough sidewalk-like surface. First up was a drop on the back. Both devices cracked, but in different ways. The S25 Ultra’s rigid titanium frame transferred shock across the entire glass panel, resulting in widespread shattering and even damage around the cameras. The iPhone’s softer aluminum frame absorbed some of the impact, limiting cracks mostly to the smaller glass section, leaving its cameras intact.
Corner drops told a different story. The Galaxy’s titanium held firm with only light scuffing, while the iPhone dented more noticeably—evidence of aluminum’s softer nature. On face-down drops, both screens broke, though Apple’s Ceramic Shield showed some improvement compared to previous models.
At the higher 1.5-meter drops, damage became more severe. The S25 Ultra’s rear glass and camera lens covers were almost completely shattered, while the iPhone picked up additional cracks but still managed to keep its camera lenses intact on the outside.
Apple has previously warned that vibrations—like those from high-powered motorcycle engines—can affect iPhone cameras, and that seems to show here as well. Although the lenses appeared fine on the surface, the main camera lost its ability to focus after the impact.
PhoneBuff scored Samsung slightly ahead overall, but called the result a near tie: aluminum absorbs impacts better across surfaces, while titanium is tougher at pressure points. The takeaway is clear: neither device is immune to drops, and at these prices, a good case remains the best insurance.
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(Source: PhoneBuff)
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