It’s no surprise that many of us are very concerned about the durability of foldable devices since its announcement back in 2019. I was one of those skeptics but my viewpoint shifted when I reviewed the Galaxy Fold.
Fast forward to today, we have the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 in the market for nearly a year already, and it’s more affordable than ever. Samsung even made them more durable and resilient against the elements too.
These two foldable devices are equipped with IPX8 water resistance, the Armour Aluminium frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus to mitigate scratches or shattering (not to prevent them entirely, since it’s still glass after all), and a tireless hinge for peace of mind in any lifestyle.
We recently also got into a roundtable where we can shoot off our questions and doubts regarding the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3’s durability and here are some of the questions and answers that caught my attention.
When asked about the improvements that should be focused on and/or improved in the next generation, Samsung’s reply was:
Q: What do you think about the foldables market now? And what do you think the foldable phones should focus or improve in next generations?
A: As a pioneer of foldables, Samsung possesses a deep understanding of folding devices. We are constantly conducting consumer research to discover more ways to provide unique, seamless and intuitive experiences with our foldable devices. This includes enhancing the durability of our foldable devices in everyday applications, in order to enrich the foldables user experience.
My personal questions were mostly about the hinge. While I do love the Z Fold3’s hinge and the features it offers, I can’t help but to question regarding salt crystallization and also dust clogging up the hinge. I mean, despite having brushes to keep everything out of the hinge, I’m sure that many particles can still get inside and grow in size over time.
Q: Given that the hinge is water-resistant, what happens if salts crystalize on the hinge mechanism?
A: Z Fold3 is protected against exposure to water, but we do not recommend swimming with it. IPX8 certifies protection in freshwater only, and we cannot advise on other conditions such as chemically treated pools or saltwater pools.
“IPX8 certifies protection in freshwater only”. That is the most important clause when it comes to IP-rating. It’s not magically resisting all water – but only freshwater.
My next question then was about the Z Fold3’s UTG cracking along the hinge. I’ve seen this waaaaay too many times and I have no idea how it happened. I presume it’s due to material fatigue due to constant folding and unfolding – but some happened a lot earlier in their lifespan compared to others (like mine).
Many units also had the issue of the pre-applied screen protector peeling off on its own.
Of course, Samsung offers the Care+ as well but it is still an inconvenience when any sort of cracks do happen. When questioned, the answer was pretty generic. However, I’m very sure that Samsung is aware of such issues.
Q: There were also many Z Fold3 customers with what I presume to be UTG being fatigued and forming a crack. How can we avoid this issue?
A: Samsung strives to provide the best possible experiences for our customers. That’s why we engineered the Z Fold3 to be our most durable foldable device yet, featuring redesigned and optimized layers of the flexible display to make it even stronger. In addition, a new PET screen protective film has been applied over the Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) display to offer a smoother feel and further protection from everyday use.
To refrain from product damages such as scratches or dents, customers should handle the device with care. When folding the device, we advise that users ensure there are no objects, such as cards, coins, or keys, placed in between the screens. Exposure to liquid or small particles, such as water, coffee, or sand, may also cause product damage. To avoid causing product damage, we recommend keeping the original screen protector film on the device and avoiding the installation of other films or stickers.
Should there be any damages to the device, we recommend visiting an authorized Samsung service center for replacement or repair.
Then, the biggest question comes up – the price and how Samsung will address it for the future generations of foldable. The answer is pretty simple – follow the supply and demand.
Q: Foldable phones are still in a relatively higher price compared to traditional phone, do you think that the foldable phones will be more affordable in future, and will we see a lower price range of foldable phone soon?
A: According to many analysts, the market demand for foldable smartphones is predicted to grow exponentially. As demand grows and foldables become more mainstream, prices will also change accordingly to reflect this shift. We are the leading and foremost provider of foldables, bringing foldable innovations to more consumers with prices starting from RM3,999.
And also, will Samsung be launching other forms of foldable devices? I presume the one who asked this question had the idea of a rollable or tri-fold phone or outward-folding phone (not a good idea).
Q: Do Samsung have any plan on launching more form of foldable phones in the future?
A: Samsung’s ongoing efforts in creating an entirely new category of foldable devices has provided us with the roadmap to better prepare for tomorrow’s technology. From gathering user feedback, considering user experiences, to pioneering new hardware and software form factors, Samsung is ready to take on the future of mobile – whatever that form factor may look like. At Samsung, we are always looking for unique ways to continue to meet our users’ needs. We will keep it in mind in the future but cannot comment on this at this time.
Interestingly, one more question that caught my attention was about other foldable devices like a tablet or a laptop. Some may joke that laptops are already “foldable” but this question is mostly revolving around devices like the ASUS Zenbook Fold.
However, we got the generic answer of “we cannot comment about the future products at this time” which I understand. Still, it’s sad to see that Samsung laptops are not available for sale in Malaysia.
Q: Will Samsung expand the concept of foldable screen to other devices like tablet or laptop?
A: Samsung’s ongoing efforts in creating an entirely new category of foldable devices has provided us with the roadmap to better prepare for tomorrow’s technology. From gathering user feedback, considering user experiences, to pioneering new hardware and software form factors, Samsung is ready to take on the future of mobile – whatever that form factor may look like. At Samsung, we are always looking for unique ways to continue to meet our users’ needs. We will keep it in mind in the future but cannot comment on this at this time.
And that’s all we have about the insights regarding the current situation and the future of the Z Fold and Z Flip series of smartphones. I’m very eager to see what Samsung brings to the table in the future – especially regarding the software part.
Will One UI 5.0 integrate with Android 12L (a.k.a. Android 12.1)? Only time will tell.
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