Archive | Studies & Infographs RSS feed for this section
breakability2

How Breakable is the New Samsung Galaxy s4?

Last week, we talked about our new breakability score, now we’d like to show you our results! Based on 8 key breakability factors, the front panel, back panel, size, weight, gripability, water resistance, slide test and the drop test, we scored the s4 against the iPhone 5 and the s3. Just how breakable is the new Samsung Galaxy s4 based on these factors? Check out our new infograph to find out– you’d be surprised!

 

breakability

drop test2

Our Latest Drop Test: Samsung Galaxy s4 vs iPhone5 and s3

Have you seen our latest Samsung Galaxy s4 vs. s3 vs. iPhone5 drop test? In this new video, not only did we drop and dunk these phones, but we added an awesome new slide test as well.  Whatcha waiting for? Watch the face-off right here!

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek behind-the-scenes.

Our videographer, Charlie, films while Chris performs the slide test.

Ready… set… ACTION!

All three devices sitting pretty and ready to be dropped.

All three devices sitting pretty on the drop bot ready to be dropped.

Which of these devices will be the winner? Head over here to see!

breakability12

SquareTrade’s Breakability Score Debuts as New Richter Scale for Device Danger – New Samsung S4 Rated a Dangerous 7

SquareTrade®, the top-rated protection plan trusted by millions of happy customers, today announced its Breakability Score™ for the new Samsung Galaxy S®4. 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.

“Our Breakability Score creates a new Richter Scale for accidental damage to help consumers assess when, where and how their phones are in danger,” said Ty Shay, CMO at SquareTrade. “It’s been two years since we created the first Drop Test video for the industry and we thought it was time to expand the concept.”

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 iPhone®5, the iPhone 5 was the clear winner. SquareTrade’s 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 scored the highest of the three phones tested. While it lost points for its larger size due to more breakable surface area, its excellent grip-ability and low friction coefficient make it far more durable overall. Breakability Score: 5

“Our research and experience shows that even the smallest device characteristics can dramatically affect its breakability: 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 effect how snugly smartphones fit in pant and jeans pockets,”continued Shay. %ldquo;The likelihood of damage due to these common scenarios has never been higher.”

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 200,000 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.com.

samsung infograph1

New Research Predicts 1 in 5 Americans Will Buy New Samsung S4 and Six Million Will Break It the First Year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – April 25, 2013 – SquareTrade®, the top-rated protection plan trusted by millions of happy customers, today announced new research predicting that one in five Americans will buy the new Samsung Galaxy S®4 and one in four will break it within the first twelve months. The study also found that Americans have spent more than $7.2B on damaged Android phones including Samsung, Motorola, LG and HTC since 2007, and $3.7B on Samsungs alone. As Americans integrate their phones into an increasing number of daily routines and habits, accidental damage is 10-13x more common than loss and theft.

The research goes on to reveal Samsung loyalists are far more prepared than iPhone® users should an accident occur: they are 20% more likely than Apple owners to purchase a protection plan of some kind for their devices.

“Samsung continues to gain momentum in the market: 21% of Samsung owners previously had iPhones but defected, according to our research” said Ty Shay, CMO at SquareTrade. “And while Samsung owners seem to be savvier about protecting their devices, millions of people will suffer the unexpected drops and spills that are so common today, and discover that it’s not $199 to replace their smartphone – but instead between $500 and $700.”

SquareTrade research data sources:

  1. SquareTrade’s 2013 Future Samsung Owners Survey conducted in March 2013 using Google Consumer Surveys. Feedback was collected from 1,000 consumers living in the US.
  2. SquareTrade’s 2012 Android Accident Survey conducted in October 2012 using the world’s largest panel provider, Survey Sampling International. Feedback was collected from 2,000 current Android smartphone users in the US. Demographic quotas were used to ensure a representative sample of smartphone users.
  3. Overall cost estimates were prepared using survey data and smartphone market size estimates released by ComScore in May 2012.

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 200,000 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.com.

deep fried iPhone

Yea, We Covered That!

 

Here at SquareTrade, we take thousands of claims everyday and really, we’ve heard just about way possible to damage your electronics. Here’s one that really stood out to us. One of our awesome customers who works at McDonald’s dropped his iPhone into the deep fryer. Yikes!

Well luckily for them, even if you drop your iPhone into a deep fryer… we’ve got you covered.

heartbreak 2

SquareTrade’s Heartbreaking Research

SquareTrade recently posted a question in Stuff Magazine: Would you rather break up with your favorite person, or break your favorite device?

The results? 31% chose to end things with their favorite person, and 69% chose their favorite device.

heartbreakWhich one would you choose?

Growth

SquareTrade’s 2012 in Review

SquareTrade had a great year in 2012.  Here’s an infograph highlighting SquareTrade’s growth.

SquareTrade GrowthThere were boosts all over the company, including:

  • 30,000 5-star online reviews
  • $2.8 billion under protection
  • Five of the top ten consumer electronic retailers in the US and UK
  • 85% growth in 2012
  • Over 190,000 Facebook fans
  • 22 million YouTube views

Take a look at the press release for a detailed look, and take a look at past SquareTrade infographs on who is more likely to suffer an iPhone accident, the iPhone in the homeAmericans and iPhonesiPad 1 vs. iPad 2 and studies on digital cameraslaptopsgame consoles and the iPhone 3GS.

Sex Tattoos small

Sex, Tattoos & iPhone Accidents: SquareTrade Releases New Infograph

What do stock traders, motorcycle owners, people with tattoos and people who have sex frequently have in common? They’re all a little more likely to break their iPhone, according to SquareTrade’s new research.

Sex_Tattoo_ST_Infographic_Outlines

SquareTrade also found that these actions increase your risk of having an iPhone accident:

  • Walking and using the iPhone at the same time
  • Exercising with the iPhone
  • Using the iPhone more than 1 hour per day
  • Multi-tasking while using the iPhone
  • Sleeping in bed with the iPhone

SquareTrade has your iPhone covered against those little accidents here. Take a look at the past research on how much money Americans have spent on iPhones and iPhones in the home.

What do you think? Does the study ring true to you?

home study

SquareTrade’s iPhone Study: Device Danger Zone Survey 2012

It’s a big scary world out there for iPhones. There’s danger waiting around every corner. So what’s the most dangerous place for them? Not at the supermarket or the sidewalk…it’s your home!

That’s right–the most popular place to damage that delicate little iPhone is your home. In continuation to our previous iPhone research we released another research today showing that 51% of iPhone accidents happen around the home – most commonly in the kitchen.. But don’t worry…if you’ve got a SquareTrade warranty, that iPhone is safe and sound, even if it ends up in your dishwasher.

 

SquareTrade’s study also points out some specific spots iPhones have suffered their fate:

  • 9% of iPhone owners have dropped their phone in the toilet
  • 6% of iPhone owners have left an iPhone on top of the car and driven off
  • 5% of iPhone owners have put an iPhone in the washing machine

What kinds of liquids are most commonly spilled on iPhones?

  • Water: 43%
  • Soda: 19%
  • Beer: 12%
  • Coffee/tea: 12%

We’ve heard our fair share of iPhone accidents–like dropping iPhones into a pot of hot oil and full cups of coffee spilled them. What is your phone’s weak spot?

And check out our other studies on digital cameraslaptopsgame consolesiPhone 3GSiPad 1 vs. iPad 2, and iPhone damage.

top

SquareTrade’s iPhone Study

The latest SquareTrade iPhone study is out, and the revelations in it are sure to shock. The biggest news out of it? iPhones break, and that costs Americans a pretty penny!

iPhone Repairs & Replacement Cost Statistics

  • Damaged iPhones have cost Americans $5.9 billion since 2007
  • 30% of iPhone owners have experienced accidental damage in the past 12 months
  • 17% of iPhone owners have damaged an iPhone more than once
  • 6% of iPhone users have taped up their phone
  • 11% of iPhone owners use phones with cracked screens
  • Accidental damage is 10 times more common than either loss or theft for iPhone users
  • Half of iPhone users under 35 have had an accident

Top 5 iPhone Accident Scenarios

  • Fell out of my hand: 30%
  • Immersed in liquid: 18%
  • Fell out of my lap: 13%
  • Knocked off a table: 11%
  • Liquid spilled on it: 9%

SquareTrade’s iPhone Warranties

SquareTrade offers iPhone warranties that cover drops, spills & water damage. Check it out: iPhone Warranties

So…what’s more shocking? That Americans 6% of iPhone have taped up their phone, or that 11% have a cracked screen?

And check out our other studies on digital cameraslaptopsgame consolesiPhone 3GS, iPad 1 vs. iPad 2, and iPhones in the home.