Video: Apple's new iPhones 'more breakable' than previous generation (but still tougher than the Samsung Galaxy)

The iPhone 5s and 5c were found to be less resistant to drops and spills than previous generations according to warranty provider SquareTrade

In a series of test of the latest smartphones, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 was deemed the ‘most breakable’ of current high-end devices.

Test by warranty provider SquareTrade pitted Apple’s iPhone 5, 5s and 5c against Google’s Moto X and the Samsung Galaxy S4, dropping the devices from a 5 feet up, dunking them in water, and sliding them across a table.

Each device is then given a score from 1 to 10, with 1 representing a low-risk phone that is resistant to scrapes and knocks, and 10 indicating that a device might shatter during even a minor scuffle.

Last year SquareTrade gave the iPhone 5 a rating of 5, whilst this year the 5s was given a 5.5 ranking and the 5c a 6. All of these are deemed to be ‘medium risk’ smartphones.

"We were expecting that at least one of the new iPhone models would up its game but surprisingly, it was the Moto X that proved most forgiving of accidents," said SquareTrade CMO Ty Shay. "This is the first time we've tested the breakability on a Motorola phone, the only phone we've ever tested that's made in the USA. We were pleased to find that it withstood our drop, slide and dunk test with only the slightest dent. It looks like Google is giving Apple and Samsung a run for their money."

Research from the firm also indicates that the most common damage to phones is inflicted by drops (30 per cent) and spills (23 per cent). SquareTrade also suggest that 23 per cent of new iPhones bought over the weekend will be damaged within the year.

The 5s and 5c were both released last Friday, with demand for the 5s outstripping supply. Analysts are expecting that weekend sales figures for the devices will be equal to or greater than those for the iPhone 5.