SquareTrade’s Breakability Score debuts as new richter scale for device danger – new Samsung S4 rated a dangerous 7
New scorecard fills gap left by traditional product reviews and calculates danger in everyday situations
London, 30 April 2013 – SquareTrade, the top-rated protection plan trusted by millions of happy customers, today announced its Breakability Score for the new Samsung Galaxy S4. The SquareTrade Breakability Score ranks today’s top devices based on how prone they are to break due to accidents. Evaluating key elements such as front and back panel design, edge construction and materials, size, weight, friction quotient, water resistance and grip-ability, SquareTrade’s Breakability Score fills in the missing gap left by traditional device reviews: it tests devices in everyday danger situations brought on by our lifestyles and habits.
“We strongly feel that breakability should be part of product reviews and so we decided to get the ball rolling and came up with our breakability score to help consumers see which device is more fragile,” said Kevin Gillan, managing director SquareTrade Europe. “The Samsung Galaxy S4 is wider which is great for viewing content but will make harder to grip. The fact that the new model performed worse in many of the categories than its predecessor shows that manufacturers need to think beyond just functionality when designing devices.”
The SquareTrade Breakability Score is based on a number of factors, from physical characteristics to the results of our SquareTrade Drop Test. The higher a device scores on a scale from 1-10, the higher the risk of it breaking due to an accident.
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S4 to the S3 and Apple’s iPhone5, the SquareTrade Breakability Score revealed the following:
- While the S4 proved slightly more water resistant than its predecessor the S3, Samsung’s new Galaxy phone actually performed worse in most other categories. Major strikes against the S4 include high breakability during SquareTrade Drop Tests, a slippery back panel, and a wider screen that reduces grip-ability, especially compared to the ultra-slim iPhone 5. Breakability Score: 7
- While the Samsung S3 screen is more durable, it is less water resistant than the S4 and its plastic back and wide width decreases its grip-ability. Breakability score: 6.5
- The iPhone 5 loses points for its larger size, which increases its breakable surface area but it does have good grip-ability and a low friction coefficient. Breakability Score: 5
“Measuring breakability is not just a matter of does it smash when I drop it? The process is much more scientific than that and there are a numbers of factors to be taken into consideration so we can offer consumers the soundest advice possible. The weight balance of a device can affect the way it spins in free-fall, making it more likely to land on its screen, devices with rubber backs are less likely to slide, and device dimensions can affect how snugly smartphones fit into pockets,” continued Gillan. “Because we take these devices everywhere with us, the risk of accidental damage is staggeringly high.”
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About SquareTrade
SquareTrade is the top-rated protection plan trusted by millions of happy customers for its fast and exceptional service. SquareTrade protects mobile devices, laptops and tablets, and other consumer electronics and appliances from malfunctions, accidental damage and life’s frequent mishaps. Unlike old-fashioned warranties, SquareTrade is designed for today’s consumer and uses innovative technology to deliver a zero hassle claims process. SquareTrade has more than 180,000 fans on Facebook, consistently wins industry awards and receives thousands of 5-star reviews for its legendary customer service. Top retailers around the world offer SquareTrade, achieving a 200% increase in sales on average and happier customers. SquareTrade’s rapid transformation of the warranty industry attracted one of the largest private capital raises in 2012, with a $238 million round led by Bain Capital and Bain Capital Ventures. Headquartered in San Francisco and London, SquareTrade is privately held. For more information, go to www.squaretrade.co.uk
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