Can the USB Killer 4 Destroy a Samsung S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?

The USB Killer 4 lives up to its name, this little device is capable of sending a high-voltage surge through a USB port, effectively frying the internal components of most electronics. But just how dangerous is it today? Can it take down the latest flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

Let’s find out.

First: Does the USB Killer Actually Work?

Before going straight for the high-end phones, we needed to verify that this USB Killer is functioning as intended. So, we brought out an old MacBook Pro and plugged the device in.

And just like that, the MacBook went completely dark. “Confirmed.” The USB Killer is still deadly.

Test 1: USB Killer vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Next up, we tested it on the S24 Ultra. As nerve-wracking as it sounds, we plugged the USB Killer into the device and again counted down:

At first, we heard some internal sounds from the phone. Clearly, something was happening but the screen stayed black. No response, no display, nothing.

Result: The USB Killer successfully destroyed the S24 Ultra. It’s toast.

Test 2: USB Killer vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max

Time for the ultimate showdown. Could the iPhone 15 Pro Max survive the same attack?

We plugged it in, took a deep breath but nothing seemed to happen.

No screen flickers. No shutdown. Just, nothing. We checked if the iPhone was still charging and yes, it still charged normally.

Result: The iPhone 15 Pro Max survived the USB Killer. Apple’s internal protections seem to have done their job.

Final Thoughts

The USB Killer 4 is still incredibly effective, capable of bricking devices with a single surge. However, not all devices are built equally. While the S24 Ultra was taken out, the iPhone 15 Pro Max stood strong likely thanks to Apple’s voltage regulation and port protection technologies.

Disclaimer: Never try this at home. USB Killers are extremely dangerous and can permanently damage your electronics, not to mention possibly injure you or others.

Stay tuned, until the next gadget suffers.