Galaxy Note 7 fails miserably in scratch test, passes 50-time drop test
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 sports a stronger Corning Gorilla Glass 5, as opposed to its Galaxy S7.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 sports a stronger Corning Gorilla Glass 5, as opposed to its Galaxy S7.
In a strange situation, Samsung’s flagship Note 7 passed a multiple drop test where the handset was dropped more than 50 times face down on hard concrete. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 sports a stronger Corning Gorilla Glass 5, as opposed to its Galaxy S7, which is protected by the Gorilla Glass 4. However, a simple scratch test done by YouTuber Jerry (JerryRigEverything) shows that the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is actually not scratch resistant, though it may be highly shatterproof.
Jerry states that the Glass 5 seems ‘slightly better than plastic’ as it was easily scratched with a level 3 tool (pick), when testing it for marking the Mohs scale of hardness. In the test, the Galaxy Note 7’s display was easily scratched at level 3, as opposed to the Glass 4, which passes to level 5.
Just to save you on a Google search, a German mineralogist named Friedrich Mohs devised a scale that tested mineral hardness of a surface. The scale is marked from level 1 to 10, which starts as Talc at level 1, Gypsum ate level 2, Calcite, Fluorite, Apatite, Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Corundum and Diamond, the hardest at level 10. Just for your information, a regular coin has a hardness of level 3, a fingernail stands at 2.5 and a steel knife has a hardness level of 5.5.
Jerry further mentions that the Note 7 can be protected by using an additional tempered glass protector over it, so one can have the best of both worlds — a superfast phone and a scratch-resistant display.
In yet another test done by PhoneBuff, it comes to light that though the Note 7’display surface is not as hard to resist scratches, it is definitely strong enough to withstand drops. The Glass 5 is shatter resistant, even stronger than the predecessor Glass 4, which is proven by dropping the phone more than 50 times on its display face. Though the gorilla Glass 5 protection went through marginal cracks, the touch screen and display kept on working, despite falling over 50 times on concrete.
Jerry’s test continues further to reveal that not only the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a weaker display, the rear panel is also protected by a Gorilla Glass 5 layer. Since the Note 7 has a curved glass on both the front and the rear panel, the glass is highly prone to damage along the edges. Apart from the two Glass 5 protections on the front and the rear, Jerry’s test also throws light on the home button which has a regular glass covering the fingerprint sensor. This glass is not scratch resistant, and stops working if heavily scathed or shattered.
The rest of the unit is almost flawless. Jerry’s test continues with a flame test, which is just for reference, but he also confirms that the chassis, made of metal, is pretty strong and simply does not bend, as seen in many other phones. The, metal frame is pretty tough and refused to bend in standard conditions.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a pretty sturdy smartphone and highly reliable as far as drop tests and bend tests are concerned. Though the issue lies in the scratch resistant Gorilla Glass 5, the shatterproof protection will ensure your Note will be running for long.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a wonderful device, with the latest in hardware specifications and high in additional features such as an improvised styles and an iris scanner. With a waterproof body, an excellent camera, a high performing hardware and premium look, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is no doubt one of the best smartphones available out there.