Samsung's Galaxy S5 smartphone breaks more easily than the Apple iPhone 5S, according to a report, Digital Spy said.

Insurance firm SquareTrade subjected both handsets to a battery of tests and concluded that the Android device is more fragile, despite being made of plastic and being water-resistant.

The company assessed the phones using its Phone Terminator test, which was designed by researchers at the University of California Berkeley.

It is designed to simulate the everyday hazards smartphones are subjected to, including being dropped onto concrete, submerged in water and dragged face-down across a hard surface.

The Galaxy S5 was handed a breakability score of 6, while the iPhone 5S chalked up a less fragile rating of 5.5.

"Consumers in the UK are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones and mobile devices," said SquareTrade managing director Kevin Gillan. "Our breakability test results allow consumers to make the most informed decision ahead of their purchases to minimise those risks.

"Knowing that your mobile device can stand up to the daily rigours of life is crucial when making a relatively expensive purchase and just in case it doesn't, having a protection plan in place can give you peace of mind when things go wrong."

The Galaxy S5 was released worldwide on April 11.