Allstate Protection Plans Explore Whether the More Sustainable Galaxy S23s are More Susceptible to Accidental Damage

BRISBANE, CA – Monday March 27, 2023

Samsung recently launched its most ecologically friendly phones to date as the Galaxy S23 series hit stores with claims of “more innovation, less footprint” built into their design. All three S23 models feature sustainable materials, including recycled glass and ocean-bound plastic. Allstate Protection Plans put the phones to the test to explore whether the sustainable materials affected their susceptibility to accidental damage.

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 phones feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back screens, which contain an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled content, plus recycled PET film made in part from ocean-bound plastic. While using sustainable materials is important, if it comes at a cost of increased likelihood of damage, the ecological benefits of ownership may not be realized. However, after putting the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra through its breakability drop tests, Allstate Protection Plans found the new models were not only as durable as their S22 predecessors, but more durable, especially the S23 Ultra. 

The full results can be seen here.  It seems when it comes to the drop tests, “the bigger they are, the better they fall,” with each device performing as follows: ​​

• Face Down Drop Test: Like the S22, the S23 shattered on its first face-down drop from six feet onto a sidewalk and was unusable due to the severity of glass damage. The S23+ cracked along the bottom of its display and suffered severe damage in one corner, but was still usable, though caution was required near the damaged corner. The S23 Ultra suffered minor cracks along the bottom of its display with more severe damage in one corner and over its curved edge. Like the S23+, it was still usable though caution was required near the damaged corner.
• Back-Down Drop Test: The S23 cracked on its first back-down drop from six feet, with severe cracking across the back panel and along its bottom edge. Its cameras remained intact, and the phone was still usable, though it was not possible to handle it safely without gloves or a protective case. The S23+ suffered hairline cracks at the top of the back panel and its metal frame was scuffed along multiple edges, but the phone was still usable, and the damage was not noticeable once it was housed in a protective case. The S23 Ultra suffered only minor cracks on one side and in a bottom corner of the back panel. However, its 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera lens was completely shattered, rendering that camera unusable.
• Side-Down Drop Test: After being dropped on its side from six feet, S23 was virtually undamaged, with only minor scuffs to is Armor Aluminum frame at one corner. S23+ shattered across its front display after being dropped on its side, with loose glass in two corners, though it remained fully operational. S23 Ultra also cracked across its front display and along its curved edges, though the damage was not as severe as S23+. Like S23+, it remained fully operational.

“As one of the largest phone manufacturers on the planet, we applaud Samsung's advances in sustainability. The Galaxy S23 phones are amazing devices and a step forward in its Galaxy for the Planet initiative,” said Jason Siciliano, Allstate Protection Plans vice president and creative director. “Our tests show that sustainability doesn’t have to compromise durability. That said, even the mighty S23 Ultra is not indestructible—and screen repairs alone can cost $259. We continue to advise consumers to use a case and screen protector in addition to considering a protection plan, all of which can help extend the life of their device.

Many people will welcome the latest Samsung offering, as Allstate Protection Plans research has shown consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of owning electronic devices. In a recent study, it found 47% of protection plan owners say they purchased a protection plan in order to be more sustainable. *
Please let me know if you have any questions about the results or if you want to talk with anyone from Allstate Protection Plans

Methodology

Data Sources:

1. Data Sources: Allstate Protection Plans Sustainability Study conducted May 2022 among a total of 1,040 American adults. The study gathered responses from both a General Population and Oversample (defined as those who have filed a protection plan on a smartphone, laptop, or tablet in the past five years). Sampling was conducted via RepData. Sampling quotas were used to ensure representativeness of the US General Population. Population calculations were made using the 2021 U.S. Census Population & Household Estimates.