Highlights
- Phonebuff conducts exhaustive iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra drop tests.
- Apple’s aluminium build offers better heat dissipation and rear impact protection, while Samsung’s titanium frame excels in corner-drop durability.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max showed less rear damage but struggled with corner dents and paint stripping.
- Galaxy S25 Ultra had severe rear camera damage but resisted corner impacts.
Capton – Drop tests on the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra. (Image credits – PhoneBuff on YouTube)
Apple’s decision to use aluminium on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max this year was driven by better heat dissipation and weight advantages over titanium or stainless steel. But the big question remains. Does aluminium also improve durability? Let’s check out what a recent drop test face-off reveals when the iPhone 17 Pro comes face to face with its primary competitor.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra – Drop Tests
A new series of six drop tests by YouTube channel PhoneBuff pits the iPhone 17 Pro Max against the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s titanium alloy frame, revealing how both flagships perform under pressure.
While both aluminium and titanium alloys have their own benefits, the outcome heavily depends on the angle and surface of the drop. PhoneBuff’s updated testing methodology ensured fair results with drops carried out from 1 meter and 1.5 meters on different sides of each device.
Here’s a breakdown of how each smartphone fared –
1-Meter Drops
- Back Drop – The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s rear glass cracked, though less severely than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which showed major damage around its telephoto lenses and a cracked laser autofocus unit.
- Corner Drop – This is where Apple’s aluminium design struggled. The iPhone 17 Pro Max developed visible scuffs and a dent, highlighting aluminium’s malleability. By contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s titanium frame proved much more resilient.
- Front Drop – Both devices suffered cracked displays. On the iPhone, fractures reached the front camera, causing lens flares, though Face ID remained functional. Samsung’s phone also cracked, but its fingerprint sensor kept working.
1.5-Meter Drops
- Back Drop – The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s aluminium unibody again offered solid protection, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s rear cameras were severely compromised. The ultrawide lens shattered completely, degrading image quality. Apple’s rear camera sensors, however, remained functional.
- Corner Drop – The iPhone’s orange paint began stripping, and its main 1x camera lost the ability to focus. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, meanwhile, showed near “bulletproof” durability from the same angle.
- Front Drop – Both phones suffered similar screen damage, leading PhoneBuff to call this round a tie.
The tests showed that Apple’s aluminium build handles rear and flat-surface impacts better, while Samsung’s titanium alloy excels at corner-drop durability. In the end, neither material was flawless and each had strengths and weaknesses depending on drop orientation.
You can check the full Phonebuff drop test video below –
FAQs
Q1. How does the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s aluminium build perform in drop tests?
Answer. It offers solid rear impact protection and better heat dissipation, but struggles with corner drops, showing dents, scuffs, and paint stripping due to aluminium’s malleability.
Q2. Which phone handled corner drops better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Answer. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s titanium alloy frame proved more resilient in corner drops, showing minimal damage compared to the iPhone’s visible dents and camera focus issues.
Q3. Did iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra survive front drops without major issues?
Answer. Both devices suffered cracked screens during front drops. The iPhone’s front camera showed lens flares, while Samsung’s fingerprint sensor remained functional.