Samsung Foldable Undergoes Extreme Folding Test

Korean YouTuber Pushes Galaxy Z Fold 7 Durability to 200,000 Folds

Foldable smartphones have moved beyond novelty, but their intricate designs, particularly hinges and flexible displays, raise durability questions. A Korean YouTuber is now putting this to the test, subjecting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to a relentless folding endurance challenge.

Endurance Test Hits Key Milestones

The host of the YouTube channel Tech-it has been manually folding the latest Samsung foldable, aiming for a staggering 200,000 cycles. This ambitious experiment is designed to evaluate the resilience of the redesigned hinge mechanism and the flexibility of the screen on Samsung’s slimmest foldable device to date. After 150,000 folds, the device reportedly remains fully functional.

Live Stream to Conclude Test

The final 50,000 folds are scheduled to be broadcast live. A digital counter, synchronized with a sensor attached to the Z Fold 7’s internal display, is tracking the progress in the video. Neither Tech-it nor Samsung immediately provided a comment on the ongoing test.

Industry Standards vs. Real-World Stress

Manufacturers like Samsung, Apple, Motorola, and Google employ simulated durability testing for their devices. For foldables, this typically involves automated machines repeatedly opening and closing the phones to simulate everyday use. However, the complexity of foldable hinges and their flexible screens makes them inherently more susceptible to damage than traditional smartphone designs.

Consumer Concerns Remain

Durability, alongside battery life, continues to be a significant deterrent for some consumers considering the leap to foldable technology. A recent survey indicated that while young adults show high interest in foldable phones, concerns about their long-term robustness persist (YouGov).