The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Neither Samsung nor iPhone is a proven brand-wide durability winner. Consumer Reports’ May 2026 ratings give the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Apple iPhone 17 the same 5/5 durability score. That result applies to those two models and that rating system—not every Galaxy and iPhone, or every kind of accident. If drops are your main concern, the available ratings do not break the tie; compare the exact models, their water-resistance specifications, and your options if a repair is needed.
What the durability ratings say about drops
Consumer Reports describes its smartphone durability testing as examining resistance to drops and tumbles. Its May 2026 ratings give both the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Apple iPhone 17 a score of 5/5 for durability. Consumer Reports’ durability testing and ratings therefore show no score-based winner between these examples.
A matching score is not proof that the phones faced identical fall conditions, nor does it mean either phone is unbreakable. The available rating excerpt does not provide a detailed head-to-head drop protocol. It also cannot establish that all Samsung phones are as durable as all iPhones, or vice versa.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How water resistance compares
Water-resistance ratings are model-specific laboratory classifications, not guarantees against damage in every real-world exposure. The available specifications are not a matched comparison: Apple gives a specific rating for iPhone 17, while Samsung says Galaxy ratings vary by model.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
| Phone or guidance | Published information | What it means for a comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 | Apple reports an IP68 rating under IEC 60529, tested to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under controlled conditions. Apple’s 2026 Environmental Progress Report. | This is a stated laboratory limit for iPhone 17, not a promise of survival in every liquid or situation. |
| Samsung Galaxy phones | Samsung Canada says water-resistance ratings differ by model. Its guidance describes IPX7 and IPX8 as limited immersion ratings and cautions against deeper, longer, or high-pressure exposure. Samsung Canada’s Galaxy water-resistance guidance. | Check the specification for the exact Galaxy model before comparing it with an iPhone. A general Galaxy rating cannot be inferred from another model’s rating. |
Samsung’s warning about pressure and exposure limits matters even when a phone has an immersion rating: the classification does not make every kind of water contact equivalent to a controlled test.
What happens as a phone ages or gets damaged
Water resistance can weaken over time or with wear. Apple says, “Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions, and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear.” Samsung Canada similarly says, “The water resistance of your Galaxy phone is not permanent and may be naturally weakened over time or through natural wear and tear.”
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
That makes a new-phone rating a poor guarantee for a used device, a phone with impact damage, or one that has undergone repair. Treat liquid resistance as a protective feature with limits, not as permission to expose a phone to water.
Recommended Free Tools
Repair access and warranty are part of durability
A phone that can be serviced may remain usable after damage, but access alone does not establish that a repair is affordable or quick. Apple says repairs are available through Apple retail stores, Apple Authorized Service Providers, and central repair locations. The available information does not provide a matched, current regional comparison of Samsung and Apple repair prices or turnaround times, so it cannot support a claim that one brand is cheaper or easier to repair overall.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Water resistance and warranty coverage are separate questions. Apple states, “Service for liquid damage to an iPhone or iPod isn’t covered by the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty.” Apple also notes that consumer-law rights may apply. Check the applicable terms and local consumer protections rather than assuming a water-resistance rating means liquid damage will be covered. Apple’s liquid-damage warranty guidance.
Does a rugged Samsung prove Samsung phones are tougher?
No. Samsung Business Insights reports that the rugged Galaxy XCover7 Pro underwent 26 drop tests from 1.5 meters onto steel. That is a vendor-reported test of a ruggedized model, not a like-for-like comparison with an iPhone and not evidence about the Galaxy S line. Samsung Business Insights on the Galaxy XCover7 Pro.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Ruggedized devices and mainstream phones are different product categories. A test result for one rugged model cannot settle which brand’s standard flagship phones better survive everyday drops.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How to choose for your kind of risk
- If you mainly worry about drops: The cited Consumer Reports scores tie the Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17 at 5/5; they do not establish which is more likely to survive a particular fall. Compare the exact models and consider a case made for the phone’s precise generation and model.
- If water exposure is the concern: Compare the published rating for each exact model and read its conditions. Do not treat a rating as a real-world survival guarantee or a warranty promise.
- If long-term ownership matters most: Include repair availability, local service options, and the cost of likely repairs in your decision. The sources here do not establish a brand-wide repair-cost or turnaround winner.
- If buying a used phone: Do not assume it retains the water resistance claimed for a new device, particularly if it has been worn, damaged, or repaired.
A well-fitted case is a sensible way to address impact concerns, but it is not proof against breakage and does not make a phone waterproof. Confirm that any case is designed for the exact model.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
