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Popular technology tear-down YouTuber Zack Nelson recently unboxed and tested the durability of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. Posted to the channel JerryRigEverything, the video highlights a few device characteristics. Those range from the display to build materials and bendability. As expected, Samsung’s prime flagship performs well.
As expected, the screen begins scratching at a level six on the Mohs’ hardness scale. Deeper gouges start appearing at level seven. That means this device should withstand scratching from just about any everyday object that might be in users’ pockets alongside the Galaxy S20 Ultra. A few exceptions to that might be sand particles, that typically contain minerals that can scratch above those levels.
Mr. Nelson also notes that there’s no speaker grille at the top to be damaged, with metal used in the frame to prevent breaking but not against scratches. The rear panel is made of a similar glass and that extends to the camera hump. Meanwhile, the flatter design used in the latest of Samsung’s devices should prevent screen cracking from drops that land on the handset’s edge.
Metal is also used in the buttons on the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, improving durability. But those are also still far to easy to pop out with a little prying.
The JerryRigEverything video additionally includes a burn test, showing that this screen is somewhat more heat resistant than previous AMOLEDs. The YouTuber holds the flame to the screen for thirty seconds before damage occurs. The screen recovers from that over time. Finally, Mr. Nelson puts the Galaxy S20 Ultra through a bend test. There’s no audible creaking or groans from the device and it only bends slightly.
Does this comport with other Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra durability tests
Now, this test is somewhat different from others that have recently been reported. In particular, tests that use machines to review various device characteristics show this handset to be a bit less durable. For instance, while Zack Nelson’s test shows that this steel-framed handset should survive everyday life in nearly every regard, SquareTrade gave it a score of 70.
That’s not necessarily a great score either since, in that company’s tests, a higher score is more breakable. That puts the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra at medium risk. More specifically, it’s somewhere between the same firm’s evaluation of the Apple iPhone 11 series for the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11.
Is this why Samsung included a case and screen protector
The durability test of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra on JerryRigEverything’s YouTube channel started with an unboxing. Two inclusions in the box for Zack Nelson’s test unit are particularly telling. That’s the pre-installed film screen protector and clear protective case.
Given the scores hinted at above from SquareTrade, that’s hardly surprising. While the device performs well in the bend test and scratch tests, drop tests and tumble tests of the handset from SquareTrade show worse-than-average scores.
So users who are picking up a new Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra can rest assured that the device may be more durable than some handsets. But, as Mr. Nelson repeatedly indicates in his test, it’s also not quite as durable as might be hoped for a device that costs well over $1000.