This year, Samsung, Google and Apple all released new flagship devices. While these three may not be the only ones who released something new this year, their flagship releases are probably the most durable ones among others. Samsung's S7 Edge, Google's Pixel and Apple iPhone 7 are all passers of tough torture tests.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Torture Test
The Galaxy S7 Edge is one of your best options for a 2016 durable smartphone. It's not perfect, but it's one of the nearest things you can get to an uber-durable premium device. Its display screen is like any other premium phones' which are scratch resistant up to a certain level. As per torture-tester JerryRigEverything, the S7 Edge scratches at a level-6 sharpness. This means that you can't scratch it with a key or a coin and probably with other everyday objects as well.
Burning the display with a lighter flame will eventually create a white spot on the display that may not come off. However, the phone will still remain functional as it has originally been. Furthermore, the S7 Edge delivers quality when it comes to toughness. Bending the device shows that the unit is really sturdy and in no way easy to bend. It does slightly lift up compromising the water resistance seal, but other than that, the S7 Edge body is really tough to bend.
Google Pixel Torture Test
Google's Pixel phone is durable as well. It does scratch when put to a tough test, but with everyday objects, the Pixel seems to be safe from deep scratches. Just like the S7 Edge, the Pixel's display also scratches at a level-6 sharpness. Burning the Pixel's display with a lighter flame takes about 10 seconds before permanently giving the screen a white spot. However, the device remains functional even though the burn spot did not fully recover. Nevertheless, burns and scratches may not always be relevant to everybody, but testing them out is undeniably a solid way to determine the extent of damage the phone can endure.
If there is one very relevant test a phone should be exposed to, it would probably be the bend test. Bending the phone using human force will help you see whether or not accidentally sitting on your phone will pose a big problem. As for the Google Pixel, it looks like it's one of the most durable phones you can buy right now. Bending it manually can bulge the screen out by a tiny bit but other than that, the phone is very solid and very hard to break by accident.
Apple iPhone 7 Torture Test
The iPhone 7 is also a perfect choice if you're looking for a tough device. Its display is as scratch resistant as the Pixel and S7 Edge and it is also as bend-free. Burning the display for 10 seconds will show a dark spot on the screen but unlike the other two, the spot on this iPhone disappears in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, bending the iPhone 7 shows that the phone is in no way flimsy. The water resistance adhesive might come off, but that's pretty much all the damage you can get from bending it. The phone will remain functional and solid despite bending attempts.
Overall, these three phones are perfect options if you want a phone that isn't only premium but durable as well. Of course, take note that phone damage happen differently at various instances. This means that dropping your phone, no matter what phone it is, may or may not cause damage depending on different factors like angle, drop height and ground texture. Nevertheless, if you take care of your phone and use quality protective coatings, you are most likely not encountering big problems with the iPhone 7, Galaxy S7 Edge and Pixel phone.
