Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 put to the test: sand, knife and bending tests
If you see someone pouring sand and gravel all over a brand-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, there’s a good chance their name is Zack. This, along with the bend test, is part of the standard durability test performed by the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything.
For the Z Fold8 generation, Samsung introduced the Flex Titanium Display, which combines an aluminum plate with a titanium alloy film to reinforce the foldable OLED display in the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra. The Galaxy Z Flip8 didn’t receive this upgrade, but does it actually make the display more durable?
It’s designed to protect the display from the stresses of folding and unfolding the phone and reduce the resulting creases. The inner display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 remains susceptible to scratches – this is due to the nature of the plastic surface. In contrast, the Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 on the non-folding cover display is significantly more scratch-resistant, just like any high-quality smartphone display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 with robust aluminum casing
As for the sand, the Z Fold8’s ingenious hinge design has done an excellent job of preventing sand grains from getting inside the phone. Interestingly, the camera unit is made of plastic, while the majority of the casing is constructed from robust aluminum.
Okay, but how does the smartphone fare in the durability test? First up are the scratch tests, where the outer display starts to scratch at level 6, and the inner panel even at level 2. The latter isn’t unusual, though, since it’s a foldable panel, which always represents a compromise. While there’s now a layer of titanium, the top layer is still plastic. And that, of course, scratches even at level 2.
Next, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 encounters a lot of sand, both on the displays and in the hinge. While this certainly doesn’t do its appearance any favors, both the panels and the hinge continue to function without any problems, as does the fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. The fire tests, however, are over quickly. The foldable display withstands the flame for 7 seconds, the cover display for 10 seconds, before sustaining irreparable damage.
Finally, the bend test is performed, which the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 passes with flying colors when closed – it barely bends. When opened, the excellent overall performance continues, and the Galaxy smartphone withstands the pressure without breaking. A section of the back even detaches, without the foldable main display showing any signs of wear.
