I find it true that the DS Phat breaks more easily.
Mine snapped a few months ago. I had it plugged it to play, because the charge had gone a couple of weeks prior, and I forgot about it and got up from where I was sat. The wire pulled the DS back and it landed on the floor and immediately snapped. I continued to play it after a while, but I ended up using some stiff plastic and sticky tape to hold the screens open at a playable angle. It still works, but not very well. :/
And later, with my DSi, I did the exact same thing and guess what? Not a scratch. :D
... well, a little scratch, but because of the matt surface, it actually came off with a damp cloth. The DSi is magical and a study little thing, too. :D