Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in durability test
Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 Ultra last month, just like the other models in the S26 series. A lot has already been written about the device, as we wrote this week about headaches caused by the phone' s screen. Now, Zach from JerryRigEverything has also gone to work on the high-end smartphone. As we have come to expect from him, once again everything is pulled out to subject the device to extreme durability.
The video looks at how scratch-prone the phone's display is. It also answers whether the device is easily bendable, and whether there are any other vulnerabilities. The S26 Ultra's screen again uses Corning Gorilla Armor 2, the same protection as its predecessor. Still, scratch resistance seems improved. In the test, clearly visible scratches only appear at level 7 on the hardness scale, while scratches at level 6 are barely visible. A heat test also produces little damage: the screen is exposed to a flame from a lighter for about 20 seconds, with only minimal pixel damage.
In the bending test, the phone shows that it is structurally sturdy. When pressed from the front as well as from the back, the device hardly bends at all. According to Nelson, this makes the smartphone feel "robust and solid". This year, Samsung is using a frame made of so-called armour aluminium instead of titanium. That material appears to be structurally strong, but does get visible scratches faster than the titanium frame of previous models. Earlier, a drop test was published that recorded the device's drop resistance.
One of the most discussed problems with the previous generation was that the camera lenses came off relatively easily. With the S26 Ultra, Samsung seems to have solved that problem. The lenses are now more firmly attached and no longer spontaneously pop off. Samsung is introducing a new approach: the lens rings can indeed be deliberately removed and then replaced without damaging the glass. This makes it easier for repairers to replace parts.
