Early reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 plus are rather fragile.

[VW Maverick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkoZM83X_i4

"You may have to keep paying for that Samsung S8, even if you paid for the handset all at once. And we’re not talking about the monthly bill from your mobile service provider — rather, it would appear that the new Samsung flagship phone is one the most fragile and breakable handsets ever, which means that you’re likely going to need repairs. And with a phone that costs in the ballpark of $750 to begin with, those additional fixes could add up.

As per a newly posted video from extended warranty service provider SquareTrade, both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus are among the least hardy of recent smartphones. In fact, SquareTrade notes, it’s the first phone they’ve tested that has suffered cracks on all sides upon a single drop.

Of course, it comes as little surprise that the handsets are so delicate. After all, that trademark “infinity screen” comes at a cost — and it’s not just monetary. In something of a case study for “form over function,” the almost entirely glass body of the handset makes for a particularly fragile product. But luckily, it would appear that replacement screens for the Galaxy S8 are a bit less expensive than those for the S7, and prices are expected to drop even further as the fervor surrounding the phone wears off.

Of course, keep in mind that “less expensive” doesn’t mean inexpensive. Sure, the replacement screens for the S8 are about $50 to $100 cheaper than S7 replacement screens were at launch, but that still puts the price at around $200 wholesale. The good news, however, is that obtaining the parts needed for a repair is pretty easy, so at the very least, you won’t be paying a ton and waiting forever to get your new phone fixed.

“The price point is good; the repairability is there. Durability-wise, it’s definitely going to break, no question about that.” Justin Carroll, owner of the Richmond, Virginia-based Fruit Fixed smartphone repair shop, told Motherboard. But does that mean that you ought to buy insurance for your phone? Independent repairmen say not necessarily.

“If we can get repair price under $200 you take away all of the value insurance has,” Carroll said. “The only thing insurance can usually beat us on is price point. If they can’t do that, then there’s no reason to have it.”

Thanks to Digital Trends.

Mav.

 

[anon(238680)]

Form over function is the key. First phone I bought insurance for, but always have armor case and screen protector. Good article.

 

[UKgalaxy]

It's made mostly from glass...hardly a surprise to realise it's fragile!!

 

[amyf27]

It's a great phone. Yes if you go around without a case on or a really cheapie case, you're more prone to damages. These phones need a decent protective case and we have to just be more mindful with them. Walking around with an $850 device..better be careful with it

 

[theelite1x87]

Video is from a company that sells phone insurance. I
Of course they will say it's fragile. They want you to buy insurance. According to other outlets the phone is surprisingly​ durable for what it is m though I would not suggest dropping it. Thing is, same is true for G6. And the older all glass iPhones were same way

 

[jcp007]

As others have mentioned, it is all glass that is only shatter resistant. I have had a case on every smartphone regardless of material. If I am not too much mistaken Apple has had similar design language in past versions of the iPhone. If you can find another material that allows wireless charging and has a premium look, I am all for it but I would still have a case.

 

[Nreeldeep]

Video is from a company that sells phone insurance. I
Of course they will say it's fragile. They want you to buy insurance. According to other outlets the phone is surprisingly​ durable for what it is m though I would not suggest dropping it. Thing is, same is true for G6. And the older all glass iPhones were same way

What other outlet is saying the S8 is durable? Just name one. Google 'Samsung S8 fragile' and you'll see pages of reports about the S8 being the most fragile device.
Get ready to see tons of S8s on the streets. Also be ready to see tons of cracked devices.

 

[flyingkytez]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkoZM83X_i4

"You may have to keep paying for that Samsung S8, even if you paid for the handset all at once. And we’re not talking about the monthly bill from your mobile service provider — rather, it would appear that the new Samsung flagship phone is one the most fragile and breakable handsets ever, which means that you’re likely going to need repairs. And with a phone that costs in the ballpark of $750 to begin with, those additional fixes could add up.

As per a newly posted video from extended warranty service provider SquareTrade, both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus are among the least hardy of recent smartphones. In fact, SquareTrade notes, it’s the first phone they’ve tested that has suffered cracks on all sides upon a single drop.

Of course, it comes as little surprise that the handsets are so delicate. After all, that trademark “infinity screen” comes at a cost — and it’s not just monetary. In something of a case study for “form over function,” the almost entirely glass body of the handset makes for a particularly fragile product. But luckily, it would appear that replacement screens for the Galaxy S8 are a bit less expensive than those for the S7, and prices are expected to drop even further as the fervor surrounding the phone wears off.

Of course, keep in mind that “less expensive” doesn’t mean inexpensive. Sure, the replacement screens for the S8 are about $50 to $100 cheaper than S7 replacement screens were at launch, but that still puts the price at around $200 wholesale. The good news, however, is that obtaining the parts needed for a repair is pretty easy, so at the very least, you won’t be paying a ton and waiting forever to get your new phone fixed.

“The price point is good; the repairability is there. Durability-wise, it’s definitely going to break, no question about that.” Justin Carroll, owner of the Richmond, Virginia-based Fruit Fixed smartphone repair shop, told Motherboard. But does that mean that you ought to buy insurance for your phone? Independent repairmen say not necessarily.

“If we can get repair price under $200 you take away all of the value insurance has,” Carroll said. “The only thing insurance can usually beat us on is price point. If they can’t do that, then there’s no reason to have it.”

Thanks to Digital Trends.

Mav.

Glad I went back to my V20 with the military grade standard and metal back design. The S8 plus was too precious for everyday use. Plus the annoying curves is more of an annoyance than anything. I'd rather wait and get an S8 Active.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Uh, duh. Nobody has ever heard of the S7 Edge and Note 7?

We've known these type of phones need protection for 2 years now.

 

[dov1978]

Bring back plastic phones. I'd take a well made plastic phone that still looks good but won't give me a heart stoppage everytime it slips or falls from even small heights. It'll make the phones cheaper to produce and sell too.
These days we buy a beautiful phone like the s8 and the 1st thing we have to do is wrap it in a rubber case and put an extra screen on it. What's the point?

 

[jeffmd]

From the drop test I have seen, the back shatters on first drop but the front often last till the extreme drops.

 

[jjj651]

Glad I went back to my V20 with the military grade standard and metal back design. The S8 plus was too precious for everyday use. Plus the annoying curves is more of an annoyance than anything. I'd rather wait and get an S8 Active.

The V20's camera glass is fragile. Mine broke, happened to many people.

 

[bandofbrothers2112]

It's made mostly from glass...hardly a surprise to realise it's fragile!!

^ This.

It's not rocket science.

 

[Iva_LadyDiCaprio98]

I just find it funny how people are so surprised that a phone made out of glass breaks when it falls. Glass breaks when you drop it. It's really not something to be stunned about- it's physics. I knew this phone is fragile the moment I bought it, hence why I put it in a case since minute 1 of owning it. Same goes for my precious S7 Edge. If you like to rock your phone naked, you have to understand that you're taking a huge risk. This isn't something new. It's all a matter of taking the initiative to protect your very expensive device. I know, for myself, I am not made of money so having taking this phone as my current device, I have to take it upon myself to make sure that it stays in this condition. I don't have money for repairs or replacements, with or without insurance. I know some people are more prone than others when it comes to dropping their phones, but that's something they have to keep in mind when owning a device made entirely out of glass. I prefer the glass than the metal feel, like the iPhone, for example. In terms of looks for me, the S8/+ looks a lot sexier than any of the iPhones ever made. But that's my opinion.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I just find it funny how people are so surprised that a phone made out of glass breaks when it falls. Glass breaks when you drop it. It's really not something to be stunned about- it's physics. I knew this phone is fragile the moment I bought it, hence why I put it in a case since minute 1 of owning it. Same goes for my precious S7 Edge. If you like to rock your phone naked, you have to understand that you're taking a huge risk. This isn't something new. It's all a matter of taking the initiative to protect your very expensive device. I know, for myself, I am not made of money so having taking this phone as my current device, I have to take it upon myself to make sure that it stays in this condition. I don't have money for repairs or replacements, with or without insurance. I know some people are more prone than others when it comes to dropping their phones, but that's something they have to keep in mind when owning a device made entirely out of glass. I prefer the glass than the metal feel, like the iPhone, for example. In terms of looks for me, the S8/+ looks a lot sexier than any of the iPhones ever made. But that's my opinion.

I pretty much said the same thing in another post. Also said that buying square trade insurance is not much savings unless your very clumsy and drop phones all the time, then maybe the s8 isn't for you.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Bring back plastic phones. I'd take a well made plastic phone that still looks good but won't give me a heart stoppage everytime it slips or falls from even small heights. It'll make the phones cheaper to produce and sell too.
These days we buy a beautiful phone like the s8 and the 1st thing we have to do is wrap it in a rubber case and put an extra screen on it. What's the point?

The point is phone enthusiasts can't be trusted to know what the heck they want. 3 years ago all we heard was Samsung's "cheap plastic toys". Now people want their plastic back because they can't handle glass. Then people whined and moaned to LG about their lack of wireless changing. It's an endless cycle that leads to what we have today.

Samsung could go back to flexible plastic tomorrow, but you can bet the cycle would continue...

 

[ShinyTop]

Ya, consumers telling manufacturers what they want is an endless cycle of whining. We should all just shut up and take whatever they give us.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Ya, consumers telling manufacturers what they want is an endless cycle of whining. We should all just shut up and take whatever they give us.

No. Moral of the story is we should be careful what we ask for.

 

[Almeuit]

Ya, consumers telling manufacturers what they want is an endless cycle of whining. We should all just shut up and take whatever they give us.

Hello.. Apple.

 

[dov1978]

No. Moral of the story is we should be careful what we ask for.

This is what worries me about everyone claiming they're happy with the location of the s8 finger print sensor. If Samsung think everyone is happy they might just leave it there on the s9 rather than try to locate it better