We’d always expect smartphones to get better every year, but given the latest rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 It is to be believed that the foldable handset will bring a crucial improvement in terms of its design.
According to South Korean outlet Naver (opens in new tab) (about SamMobile (opens in new tab)) Samsung will use a waterdrop hinge in the Galaxy Z Fold 5, meaning the device can fold completely flat with no gaps between the two halves of the display.
Several cell phones from Chinese manufacturers are already using this design approach for their foldables, albeit at the expense of full waterproofing. However, Samsung will apparently add the new hinge shape while maintaining an IPX8 rating for the phone.
Even more durable
the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a great foldable phone and we wouldn’t say it has durability issues, but a waterdrop hinge means less stress on the display crease and that should mean the device’s reliability will pick up again.
We have seen steady improvement Years have passed in foldable phone technology, and these devices are now well ahead of their beginnings – making them more attractive to consumers.
The report states that Samsung has actually held a patent for a hinge of this type since 2016. It’s not exactly clear why it wasn’t implemented sooner, but it could have something to do with perfecting the technology or making it cheap enough to implement.
Analysis: Improved durability means more competitors
The first Galaxy Fold made its debut in 2019, and folding phone technology has improved significantly since then. We’ll get the fifth incarnation of the device later in 2023, along with (most likely) the successor to the Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 4.
As reliability and manufacturing processes improve, it will encourage more phone makers to enter the market. For now, it’s basically just Samsung and the Chinese tech companies making consumer foldable devices.
The next big foldable phone launch we see could be for them Google Pixel Fold: It could be here as early as May 2023. There are also rumors of one Foldable iPhonebut we might wait until 2024 or 2025 for that particular device to show up.
Whatever the other manufacturers do, Samsung will always give them an edge and it’s hoped this will be enough to give the Z-Fold and Z-Flip series an edge in an increasingly competitive market.
