Miracle of engineering? Galaxy Z Fold7 survived a brutal test that even breaks regular phones

When any phone enters the “torture chamber” of YouTuber Zack Nelson, known as JerryRigEverything, few expect a happy ending. Especially when it’s the thinnest and lightest foldable phone on the market. However, the Galaxy Z Fold7 not only didn’t break in the harsh test but surprised with its durability so much that Nelson himself called it “literally black magic.”

Glass Durability: Expected Result

The test traditionally begins with a scratch resistance examination. The outer display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, starts showing signs of damage at level 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, with deeper scratches at level 7. This is a standard result, also seen in regular phones, and is definitely pleasing.

However, the inner foldable display remains the Achilles’ heel of all foldable phones. It starts showing scratches as early as level 2, meaning it can be damaged even by a fingernail or a pen in the hands of a restless child. Samsung is aware of this weakness and continues to offer one free replacement of the inner display’s protective film during the first year.

Dust as Enemy Number One

The dust resistance test brought a big surprise. Although the Galaxy Z Fold7 has IP48 certification, meaning it’s not fully dustproof, it performed surprisingly well in the test. Nelson exposed the phone to a significant amount of dust and small debris that could penetrate the hinge mechanism, but the phone remained fully functional.

Samsung has clearly worked on improving its Armor FlexHinge mechanism, which effectively prevents dirt from entering the internal parts of the phone. For owners of previous generations who were hesitant to use the phone on the beach or in dustier environments, this is a significant step forward.

Bend Test: Moment of Truth

The highlight of every JerryRigEverything video is the bend test, which demonstrated Samsung’s true engineering capabilities. While regular phones sometimes crack in this test, one would expect a catastrophe with foldable models, especially with such a thin device as the Galaxy Z Fold7.

However, the opposite is true. Although the phone exhibited a concerning degree of flex, it remained fully functional. The inner display did not crack, did not fold over, and even the hinge showed no signs of damage.

Furthermore, Samsung states that the Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed for 500,000 unfolds and folds, which represents almost ten years of use at an average of 150 openings per day.

Verdict: Surprisingly Durable

If you were considering purchasing the Galaxy Z Fold7 but were concerned about its fragility, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The JerryRigEverything channel’s test proves that Samsung has finally solved the biggest pain points of foldable phones. The combination of an extremely thin body with extraordinary structural strength represents an engineering triumph that moves the entire device category forward.

However, it remains to be seen whether these advancements will also be reflected in more affordable models, or if top-tier durability will remain the exclusive domain of premium devices. One thing is certain – Samsung has proven that foldable phones are no longer fragile technological curiosities but practical devices ready for everyday use.

How important is durability to you when choosing a phone?

Source: JerryRigEverything