Samsung to improve the durability of the waterdrop hinges in the foldable smartphones

With more and more Chinese brand operators adopting a simplified hinge design on their foldable screens, greatly reducing the weight of the devices while ensuring durability, Samsung is clearly also planning to further improve the structure of its foldable screens. It may adopt an even more streamlined hinge design, or even follow Chinese brands in introducing a drop-shaped foldable structure to present a flatter surface when the screen is unfolded.

In previous designs, Samsung primarily used a U-shaped structure. Although subsequent foldable screen devices have adopted a more streamlined design, they still appear to have a certain level of complexity and are only able to withstand about 200,000 folds, compared to the Chinese brands which can endure over 400,000 folds and place more emphasis on the flatness of the screen when it is unfolded.

According to a report on The Elec, Samsung plans to adopt a completely new hinge design in its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5, which will include a more streamlined structure, increase its durability to 300,000 folds, and allow it to maintain a five-year lifespan even with over 100 openings and closings per day.

However, market opinions suggest that while Samsung’s use of foldable screen hinges is relatively complex and has lower durability, last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 both corresponded to IPX8 waterproof and dustproof standards, providing higher protection compared to Chinese brand foldable devices and thus having some advantages.

If there are no unexpected delays, Samsung is expected to release a new foldable screen device in the second half of this year, but there are currently no further details available.