One of the biggest fears that all mobile phone users have, be it entry-level, medium or high-end, is that it will break. A bad fall on the ground or the spill of a glass filled with some liquid always puts our hearts in a fist.
Fortunately, phones are getting tougher. Looking back, one of the pioneers in making a resistant mobile phone was the Samsung Galaxy S5 more than seven years ago, incorporating IP-certified protection systems that even allowed it to be submerged in a pool.
Since then, mobile phones have evolved, increasing the size of the screens and incorporating new materials such as glass. And, although they have also improved their resistance, it is normal that we still have the fear of a possible breakage in any type of mishap.
If this happens with traditional telephones, the fear is even greater with a new range of telephones such as folding mobile phones. Many people trust its potential as a device for the future, but it is true that they are somewhat skeptical as to its durability. And this, as we will see below, is far from reality.
Before going on the market, practically all mobile phones have undergone a scrupulous testing process that measures their durability and resistance. Falls from high levels, dives or, in the case of folding phones, the opening and closing of the screen. In the case of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, those resistance tests and processes are even greater. Everything to offer the user the best experience.
How has Samsung made the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3 durable and strong?
In folding telephones we have two main challenges: implementing a mechanism that allows a screen to be folded hundreds of thousands of times without incident and, in turn, preventing dirt or liquids from entering the interior through this mechanism. All this without compromising durability in the event of an impact or excessively increasing the weight or dimensions of the equipment.
In the case of the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Fold3, one of the keys is found in its aluminum frame. It is a variant that Samsung defines as the strongest and lightest they have used to date. The use of this material, especially in the part of the hinge, protects the device in case of impact in more delicate areas.
But, in addition, it also makes Samsung’s new devices lighter than their predecessors. To this equation, in addition, We must add the extremely resistant Gorilla Glass Victus Glass with which the brand has covered both the back and the front, which should contribute to fewer scratches and, in turn, reduces the probability of breakage in the event of a fall.
The internal screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 deserves a separate mention. We have a 7.6-inch folding panel covered by what Samsung calls “Ultra Thin Glass”. It is a material resistant enough not to be damaged, but without sacrificing flexibility – a fundamental attribute in this type of product. This screen also has a layer that provides extra rigidity to the touch, causing a sensation similar to that of a conventional screen.
How to prevent water and dust from entering a folding phone?
This new era of folding phones involves a component that makes them extremely complex: the moving parts. It is not enough to just make a hinge that opens and closes. It has to be durable, offer good progressiveness and repel all types of dirt so that it never reaches the inside of the device.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G comply in this regard. Along with the aforementioned higher resistance screen, Samsung has developed a hinge that repels dirt and, to the touch, transmits a very good feeling during the opening process. This, in addition, is capable of withstanding more than 200,000 openings and closings.
But the thing does not stop there. Another big challenge for these phones was achieving a minimum of water resistance. A milestone that Samsung, by the way, has achieved with these new phones.
How the brand has achieved the milestone of making the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G waterproof is sealing every hole through which the water can seep. As in any other smartphone. However, achieving it with a hinge in between is an even bigger milestone, as moving parts inevitably make design difficult.
The result is a device with IPX8 certification, which allows it to be submerged to a depth of one and a half meters for an estimated time of 30 minutes. More than enough to take a specific photograph under water or be calm if, by mistake, the mobile gets wet.
But not only that. In addition to water, it is also important to keep dust away on such a device. The process to achieve this was not easy. But, After several attempts, a Samsung engineer saw something that could help. It was about the fibers that appear on the brushes of the vacuum cleaners, and he applied that mechanism to the hinges of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3.
Foldable, waterproof and … compatible with the S Pen
In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3, in addition to the features that we have seen previously, one more is added: compatibility with the Samsung S Pen. This element, originally presented together with the Galaxy Note, is one of the tools most demanded by users looking for a smartphone with which to maximize their productivity.
Making a phone compatible with the S Pen is not difficult in 2021 for a conventional phone, but it is difficult for a folding screen. Because, Samsung found a solution from Wacom, creating the first folding screen compatible with a stylus. The implementation has been perfect.
Samsung’s new S Pen is up to 40% faster responsive than its predecessors. For this reason, all lovers of the Note range who valued this tool above all else, will see how it now has an even more fluid use.
With all this information, the end result is that We are facing two phones that not only stand out for their innovation, but are also capable of adapting and resisting the day-to-day life of each user. A robust and reliable phone that can perfectly become the usual device of each person.