Initial Galaxy Note 7 torture tests show difficult serviceability and poorer scratch resistance

The first batch of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones have been sent out to press and some reviewers have already subjected the device to ruthless tests. The teardown experts at iFixit, for example, have tested how well the new smartphone can withstand bends, scratches, and drops. This is, after all, the first consumer smartphone with the new Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides of the device.

iFixit: Slightly better than the Galaxy S7, but serviceability is just as poor

The new Samsung phablet is not easy to take apart due to its use of glues and curved glass on both the front and back. Battery replacement is possible without needing to fiddle with the motherboard, but opening the case and housing has its own set of issues. Additionally, replacing the front glass would be difficult without simultaneously replacing the display to make total repair costs higher than expected. The iFixit source has rewarded the Galaxy Note 7 a repairability score of just 4 out of 10 compared to 3 out of 10 for the Galaxy S7 Edge.

Jerry Rig Everything: Gorilla Glass 5 about as scratch-resistant as plastic

According to the video below, the new Gorilla Glass 5 is worse than the Gorilla Glass 4 on the Galaxy S7 in terms of scratch resistance and is only a level above regular plastic. The tester recommends Galaxy Note 7 owners to purchase a case cover to protect the device. Interestingly, scratching its Home button fingerprint sensor will destroy its fingerprint-sensing capabilities unlike on most other flagships with the same feature.

Drop test shows the smartphone to be weak around the edges

The inevitable Youtube drop test shows that the smartphone's curved glass edges are vulnerable to cracks when dropped from a height of about 1 meter. Its design, however, appears to prevent cracks from spreading across the display where they may render the smartphone touchscreen unusable. Of course, more formal drop tests will likely come once the phablet becomes widely available.

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