Engadget Lists Common Mistakes That Can Damage Foldable Phone Screens
Engadget reports that foldable phone users should avoid closing inner screens on keys, coins, cards, dirt or sand, avoid pressing hard or using unapproved protectors, and treat folding-lifespan claims as benchmarks rather than guarantees.
Samsung's foldable care page warns that cards, coins or keys can scratch or puncture a Galaxy foldable's inner display, according to Engadget. The risk is harder to manage for people who work in dirty jobs or live near beaches, because dirt and sand can be difficult to spot and can get into almost anything.
Foldables differ in durability. Engadget said the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra have an IP48 rating, while the new iPhone Duo has an IP68 rating. In IP ratings, the first digit covers protection against solid objects: 4 means objects 1 mm or larger cannot enter, and 6 means the device is dust-tight.
The inner screen is not a conventional display, according to Engadget. It folds, so users should not press on it as firmly as on a standard phone's outer glass. That includes scratching a speck off the screen with a fingernail. Engadget also said users should not peel off a factory-applied inner screen film because it looks like shipping protection. The edges are now tucked in and better hidden, and Samsung highly recommends leaving the protective layers alone.
On the other side, Engadget warned against applying an unapproved screen protector to a foldable display. The article said these phones are not like slab phones, so any old protector will not do. Owners should only use a protector or stylus that the manufacturer specifically lists as compatible with that model.
Engadget said foldable phones do not need to be babied, but the folding screen requires more particular handling than a traditional smartphone. Users should avoid concentrated force and close the phone only on open air. Checking for dirt before closing the phone is more useful than counting folds each day, the article said. Marks on the screen should be cleaned with a soft cloth instead of a fingernail.
On lifespan, Engadget reported there is no specific lifespan for foldables, though manufacturers provide indicators. Hinges and screens are tested by folding phones between 200,000 and 500,000 times. At 100 opens a day, that range would amount to five to 10 years. But the article said that is not a guarantee. Samsung claimed the Galaxy Z Fold7's display remained functional after 500,000 folds in lab testing. Engadget said a controlled test does not mean the Fold7 would survive that many opens and closes in daily life. In the past, Samsung's claim of 200,000 folds on the original Galaxy Fold fell short. Engadget advised treating such figures as general benchmarks and marketing numbers.
Water and dust resistance also comes with limits. Engadget said that while the IP68 rating sounds great, Apple notes the iPhone Duo's water and dust resistance may diminish with normal wear. The article said nothing lasts forever, and wear increases faster when moving parts are involved.