**The Ultimate Drop Test: 12 Pro Max vs S21 Ultra**

In this article, we will delve into the world of smartphone durability testing, where two of the latest flagships, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, are put through their paces to see which one comes out on top. The test involves a series of drops from varying heights, including head height, three times telephoto optical zoom lens tests, and a final display-busting drop.

**Pre-Test Inspection**

Before we begin the test, it's essential to ensure that both phones are in working order. A quick demo of their cameras is conducted to confirm everything is functioning correctly, followed by biometric authentication tests to verify fingerprint and face ID functionality. The screens are also tested for curvature, with the 12 Pro Max proving to have a seamless curve that hits face down at three times zoom.

**The Test Begins**

With all systems go, we proceed with the test. We start with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which passes the first drop from head height without any issues. However, when we subject it to a close-up inspection after the fall, we notice that the rear glass is scuffed and not as sturdy as the stainless steel found on other iPhones. The S21 Ultra fares slightly better in terms of durability, withstanding three times telephoto optical zoom lens tests, but suffers from a weak adhesive holding the cover onto the lens.

**The Results**

As we progress through the test, it becomes clear that both phones have their strengths and weaknesses. The 12 Pro Max's curved screen proves to be an advantage in terms of protection, while its rear glass is more prone to scratches. On the other hand, the S21 Ultra's display takes a beating, with cracks forming after being subjected to significant impact.

**The Winner: A Close Call**

After conducting a series of drops from varying heights, including a 10-foot fall, we are shocked to discover that both phones have managed to survive – albeit with some damage. The iPhone 12 Pro Max suffers a cracked screen and fingerprint sensor malfunction, while the S21 Ultra's display is severely compromised.

**The Final Test: A Showdown**

In our final test, we subject each phone to a drop from 10 feet, face down. The iPhone 12 Pro Max proves to be more resilient, withstanding the impact without any significant damage. On the other hand, the S21 Ultra's display is completely shattered, rendering it unusable.

**The Verdict**

And so, after an exhaustive testing process, we are left with a clear winner – or at least, one that emerged unscathed from the tests. The iPhone 12 Pro Max takes the crown for its overall durability, thanks to its curved screen and robust design. However, it's essential to note that both phones have their strengths and weaknesses, and users should carefully consider these factors before making a purchase decision.

**A Final Bonus: The Crystal Series 30 Screen Protector**

In a surprise move, we announce the launch of our Gen 2 Crystal Series 30 screen protector. Designed specifically for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, this cutting-edge protection solution has been put to the test in our drop simulations. With its unique flow lab technology and ability to absorb shocks, we're confident that it will provide unparalleled peace of mind for users. And at an unbeatable price point, it's a must-have accessory for anyone looking to safeguard their investment.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhat's up guys everythingapplepro here and it's another year another galaxy release the galaxy s21 ultra so completely redesigned new lens and all new materials so let's go ahead and compare the galaxy s21 ultra with the all-new gorilla glass victus this is the toughest gorilla glass yet versus apple's iphone 12 pro max with a ceramic shield which is tougher than any smartphone glass i think it's going to be a very interesting test here between the best from samsung the best from apple and of course this is a yearly tradition since the galaxy s6 now on the galaxy we have an aluminum frame on the iphone stainless steel apple's already looking into titanium for the iphone which i think will make a very interesting drop test glass is still susceptible to breaking to cracking let's see which one is better and at which heights so we'll do the usual waist height go to head height and even higher if we have to and another thing to note is on the galaxy s21 ultra we have an aluminum lens surround which is built into the body it's an interesting design i like that samsung is trying something new here and all the individual lenses are shielded unlike on the 12 pro max so those jut out we've recently learned that on the 13 pro max it'll be a clean flat slate made of sapphire glass also i love the color this is the aura silver looks beautiful oh now before i forget these both have screen protectors so i want to remove those and the built-in one on the s21 ultra also we've got the fingerprint sensor so we'll be testing that throughout the video cameras seeing which internal components get damaged and might not survive even a slight tumble and starting with the waist height so galaxy s21 ultra in three two one as a beastly phone but in comparison i like how sleek the flat frame on the 12 pro max feels in three two one so nice ding there in the stainless steel and in the aluminum here generally stainless steel does hold up better to falls yeah most of that rubbed off but okay let's go on the back the 21 ultra is protected by victus on the rear and the front i think the lens will make contact first here same with the 12 pro max this one has ceramic on the front and back all right three two one the iphone three two one so that triggered the vibration motor iphone is okay and s21 ultra is okay so it made impact right here in the corner of the lens this actually might be a great security feature as far as durability all right looking good and uh the front so after that waist height fall i'm screen is acting erratically on the 12 pro max that is strange so locking it just reset it so the screen on the s21 ultra curves ever so slightly it's nice when swiping but might actually contribute to more broken displays apple actually tucked away the display into that steel band and they claim that improves the durability let's test it out in a three two one nice little smack and three two one a little hop and a skip 12 pro max is okay and the s20 on ultra is okay in a quick little demo of the cameras so just to ensure everything is in working order here yep and the biometrics so lock them and a fingerprint unlock here and face id which is both working taking it up a notch the head height test here in three two one so the way the screen curves actually makes it hit face down three two one actually pretty good on the 12 pro max just uh scuffed and not a big deal but the fact that it's reflective it's more visible on the s21 ultra got a nice little nick here so the aluminum definitely is not as sturdy as the stainless victus is still in good shape okay rear will the lens protect the s21 ultra in three two one oh what just happened there this little guy just jumped out so the three times telephoto optical zoom lens the cover is adhered with a very weak adhesive i'm actually very surprised to find that i guess that's something that wouldn't happen on an iphone as everything here is fused but build quality and the 12 pro max we'll see what the lenses do in three two one and everything looks peachy so we're making contact here on the corner and the lenses as you can see the lenses have a very thin rim around them and that is digging into the concrete otherwise the glass is doing its job holding up perfectly so this one is the smackdown that might do these guys in curved victus glass three two one oh that was loud and uh 12 pro max in three two one okay so slightly on the edge but did survive that's the dug in right here and here and victus is victorious no damage at this point both are evenly matched they have both survived head height falls from all angles and uh biggest damage here is pretty much lens cover being ripped away from its housing and scratches and just to make sure that everything is in working order before we proceed lenses all look good fingerprint and face id both working so i guess we just go even higher because these refuse to die let's bring in the ladder let's start with the victus and dropping trying to drop it on its side from near 10 feet in three two one wow that was quite a tumble and i can see that it survived and the 12 pro max in three two one and basically the same fall that this guy just went through and wow i am stunned looking fantastic the rear glass is slightly separating but the adhesive they're using there seems to be doing its job very well on the front still looking good front here is still okay but yeah that's completely ruined final test displays near 10 feet and we're recording on these guys on the way down final and ultimate test in three two one and the iphone 12 pro max face down in three two one so what do we got oh wow okay so the iphone has survived there it is the s21 oh yikes yeah the display is shot that is some serious damage a lot jutting out that's it's going to get in your skin let's see what works and what doesn't after such serious falls face id confirmed to work and fingerprint not working with broken glass like this i am unable to get the fingerprint sensor working on the s21 ultra so that may be a serious problem and a little bonus for you we're about to launch our gen 2 crystal series 30 included flow lab screen protector and now let's do a couple drops 10 feet i think you won't find a better value in this guy at the price point dropping in three two one all right that was on its face and perfect what makes contact is these corners the claws which we have innovated very happy with how this all came together another gen 2 crystal drop test 10 feet 3 2 1. another one straight on the front and notice how it did that nice hop screen protector untouched because we have so much distance between the ground tends to do very well in the drop tests and it protects the rear finish if you do happen to drop it on the rear and another one in three two one and back looks flawless still in perfect working order three two one flawless so it's a very tight fit a lot more comfortable than it looks we shaved the sides gave it a pinky rest and uh feels very solid and there you have it the latest and greatest from corning actually did a solid job i love what they did with the lens here adds more to the durability screen though not so lucky with its curved edges fingerprint sensor no longer works 12 pro max held up on the front and the rear did pretty good until the 10-foot drop which is what broke both of these but i'd say they're pretty even in strength actually fierce competition doing great as always thanks for watching stay tuned for the next one peacewhat's up guys everythingapplepro here and it's another year another galaxy release the galaxy s21 ultra so completely redesigned new lens and all new materials so let's go ahead and compare the galaxy s21 ultra with the all-new gorilla glass victus this is the toughest gorilla glass yet versus apple's iphone 12 pro max with a ceramic shield which is tougher than any smartphone glass i think it's going to be a very interesting test here between the best from samsung the best from apple and of course this is a yearly tradition since the galaxy s6 now on the galaxy we have an aluminum frame on the iphone stainless steel apple's already looking into titanium for the iphone which i think will make a very interesting drop test glass is still susceptible to breaking to cracking let's see which one is better and at which heights so we'll do the usual waist height go to head height and even higher if we have to and another thing to note is on the galaxy s21 ultra we have an aluminum lens surround which is built into the body it's an interesting design i like that samsung is trying something new here and all the individual lenses are shielded unlike on the 12 pro max so those jut out we've recently learned that on the 13 pro max it'll be a clean flat slate made of sapphire glass also i love the color this is the aura silver looks beautiful oh now before i forget these both have screen protectors so i want to remove those and the built-in one on the s21 ultra also we've got the fingerprint sensor so we'll be testing that throughout the video cameras seeing which internal components get damaged and might not survive even a slight tumble and starting with the waist height so galaxy s21 ultra in three two one as a beastly phone but in comparison i like how sleek the flat frame on the 12 pro max feels in three two one so nice ding there in the stainless steel and in the aluminum here generally stainless steel does hold up better to falls yeah most of that rubbed off but okay let's go on the back the 21 ultra is protected by victus on the rear and the front i think the lens will make contact first here same with the 12 pro max this one has ceramic on the front and back all right three two one the iphone three two one so that triggered the vibration motor iphone is okay and s21 ultra is okay so it made impact right here in the corner of the lens this actually might be a great security feature as far as durability all right looking good and uh the front so after that waist height fall i'm screen is acting erratically on the 12 pro max that is strange so locking it just reset it so the screen on the s21 ultra curves ever so slightly it's nice when swiping but might actually contribute to more broken displays apple actually tucked away the display into that steel band and they claim that improves the durability let's test it out in a three two one nice little smack and three two one a little hop and a skip 12 pro max is okay and the s20 on ultra is okay in a quick little demo of the cameras so just to ensure everything is in working order here yep and the biometrics so lock them and a fingerprint unlock here and face id which is both working taking it up a notch the head height test here in three two one so the way the screen curves actually makes it hit face down three two one actually pretty good on the 12 pro max just uh scuffed and not a big deal but the fact that it's reflective it's more visible on the s21 ultra got a nice little nick here so the aluminum definitely is not as sturdy as the stainless victus is still in good shape okay rear will the lens protect the s21 ultra in three two one oh what just happened there this little guy just jumped out so the three times telephoto optical zoom lens the cover is adhered with a very weak adhesive i'm actually very surprised to find that i guess that's something that wouldn't happen on an iphone as everything here is fused but build quality and the 12 pro max we'll see what the lenses do in three two one and everything looks peachy so we're making contact here on the corner and the lenses as you can see the lenses have a very thin rim around them and that is digging into the concrete otherwise the glass is doing its job holding up perfectly so this one is the smackdown that might do these guys in curved victus glass three two one oh that was loud and uh 12 pro max in three two one okay so slightly on the edge but did survive that's the dug in right here and here and victus is victorious no damage at this point both are evenly matched they have both survived head height falls from all angles and uh biggest damage here is pretty much lens cover being ripped away from its housing and scratches and just to make sure that everything is in working order before we proceed lenses all look good fingerprint and face id both working so i guess we just go even higher because these refuse to die let's bring in the ladder let's start with the victus and dropping trying to drop it on its side from near 10 feet in three two one wow that was quite a tumble and i can see that it survived and the 12 pro max in three two one and basically the same fall that this guy just went through and wow i am stunned looking fantastic the rear glass is slightly separating but the adhesive they're using there seems to be doing its job very well on the front still looking good front here is still okay but yeah that's completely ruined final test displays near 10 feet and we're recording on these guys on the way down final and ultimate test in three two one and the iphone 12 pro max face down in three two one so what do we got oh wow okay so the iphone has survived there it is the s21 oh yikes yeah the display is shot that is some serious damage a lot jutting out that's it's going to get in your skin let's see what works and what doesn't after such serious falls face id confirmed to work and fingerprint not working with broken glass like this i am unable to get the fingerprint sensor working on the s21 ultra so that may be a serious problem and a little bonus for you we're about to launch our gen 2 crystal series 30 included flow lab screen protector and now let's do a couple drops 10 feet i think you won't find a better value in this guy at the price point dropping in three two one all right that was on its face and perfect what makes contact is these corners the claws which we have innovated very happy with how this all came together another gen 2 crystal drop test 10 feet 3 2 1. another one straight on the front and notice how it did that nice hop screen protector untouched because we have so much distance between the ground tends to do very well in the drop tests and it protects the rear finish if you do happen to drop it on the rear and another one in three two one and back looks flawless still in perfect working order three two one flawless so it's a very tight fit a lot more comfortable than it looks we shaved the sides gave it a pinky rest and uh feels very solid and there you have it the latest and greatest from corning actually did a solid job i love what they did with the lens here adds more to the durability screen though not so lucky with its curved edges fingerprint sensor no longer works 12 pro max held up on the front and the rear did pretty good until the 10-foot drop which is what broke both of these but i'd say they're pretty even in strength actually fierce competition doing great as always thanks for watching stay tuned for the next one peace\n"