Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, is facing scrutiny over display damage reports shortly after its launch, while the durability of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 is being highlighted.
According to industry reports, U.S. tech outlet The Verge noted on October 23 that several buyers of the iPhone Duo have reported internal display damage. One Australian consumer claimed that the screen shattered just six hours after purchase, despite having folded it fewer than 20 times. The damage occurred while he was demonstrating the product to a friend, resulting in a cracking sound and damage around the hinge area. The device was exchanged at an Apple store.
Durability issues were also revealed in tests conducted by a popular tech YouTuber. JerryRigEverything, who has 10 million subscribers, conducted a test on the iPhone Duo where he applied sand and dust before repeatedly folding and unfolding the device. Debris entered the hinge, preventing the device from closing completely. During a test where the device was bent in the opposite direction, green lines appeared on the internal screen, ultimately rendering it non-functional.
In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 showed different results in a test conducted by the same YouTuber in August. Despite being forcefully bent in the opposite direction while held with both hands, the internal screen continued to function normally. Although the body warped slightly, the hinge and screen remained intact. JerryRigEverything's operator, Zack Nelson, praised the Fold 8's durability, likening it to 'Thanos-level durability' from Marvel movies.
Independent consumer evaluations support these findings. In a drop test conducted by Consumer Reports, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 showed no damage after 50 drops. Even in a more rigorous test involving 100 drops, both the screen and body operated normally.
Since the launch of its first foldable phone in 2019, Samsung has continuously improved the hinge and display support structure. The Fold 8 incorporates 'Flex Titanium' technology, utilizing titanium alloy materials. This design enhances the support structure beneath the ultra-thin OLED panel, distributing pressure and impact on the screen. Samsung has stated that it conducted over 100 reliability tests on its latest foldable products, including drop and repeated folding tests.
An industry insider remarked, 'For foldable phones, durability against repeated opening and closing, as well as external impacts, is a crucial competitive edge. Given that Samsung has improved its hinge and display technology over eight generations, the durability issues emerging with Apple's first foldable phone have drawn attention to Samsung's accumulated technological prowess and product quality.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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