
The last thing you want when you drop a few hundred bucks on a new phone is for it to fail on you within a few days.
That’s why manufacturers go through lengthy testing processes to make sure every aspect of their devices work. Samsung does the same with its Galaxy line of phones, including the new flagship phone the Galaxy S5.
We visited Samsung’s testing facilities at its headquarters in Suwon, South Korea. There, engineers test everything from how well phones can survive a fall to how many times you can push the home button before it breaks.
Disclosure: Samsung paid for a portion of our trip to South Korea for this story, including the flight and some meals. Business Insider paid for lodging and all other expenses.
Samsung uses this room to test the radios inside its phones. The foam material absorbs the waves and mimics a wide-open environment without walls.
Samsung uses these antennas to test how the radiation from its gadgets can affect other electronics in the home.
These tubs of liquid mimic the fluids inside the human body. Samsung uses it to test how much radiation from its phones gets absorbed into people’s bodies.
This probe measures the radiation. Each country has its own level of radiation it allows. If Samsung doesn’t meet those requirements, it can’t sell its phones.
The Galaxy S5 is dust and water resistant. This chamber coats the phone in dust.
Later, engineers can check if any dust got inside the phone.
Samsung uses thermal cameras to detect how much heat its phones put out. Testers make sure users don’t notice the phone getting hot when performing certain tasks.
Static electricity can ruin a phone. Samsung uses a static electricity gun to zap phones to make sure they remain resistant to shock.
How many times do you press your phone’s home button over its lifecycle? Samsung uses this machine to make sure it lasts.
These little knobs press the home button over and over and over again to test its durability.
These machines are for drop testing. Samsung records everything using high-speed cameras so engineers can tell which parts of the phones are most likely to bend and break after a fall.
Samsung’s phones go through a variety of camera tests, including different lighting settings.
That arch can test the range of the camera flash.
The Galaxy S5 went through a bunch of audio testing, too. These sound booths help engineers test call quality in a variety of different noise environments.
Audio engineers use dummies with microphones in their ears to test call quality. The mouth has a speaker to test the phone’s mic.
The engineers blast various kinds of background noise into the room to test how the phone handles it. In fact, phones are adjusted region by region to take into account common types of noise there. For example, a European Samsung phone will be tuned differently than one sold in China.

















An early version of Samsung’s next Galaxy phone might have just leaked
Math-solving phone app is the quickest way to self-study, skip homework, and/or fail your tests
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Sanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
“Get paid to chat online with Japanese girls” part-time job sounds like scam, is apparently legit
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says