How breakable are the Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 5S and HTC One M8?

As your umbilical connection to practically every aspect of modern life - for better or worse - your smartphone is about the last thing you want to break. Drop your phone on land or in water and the chances are you'll be looking at a hefty bill for a new screen, at the very least.

 

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Or will you? Mobile phone insurer Squaretrade ran some highly scientific tests on the HTC One M8, the Samsung Galaxy S5, the iPhone 5S and the Nexus 7 to see which ones can take a knock and which ones are going to shatter at the first sign of trouble.

 

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Watch the video above to find out. The 'Phone Terminator' kits were designed by a Phd student at the University of Berkeley in California - we don't recommend trying any of these tests at home.

One in five gadgets breaks within a year, according to Squaretrade.