Erencan YılmazThe Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has been put through a rigorous durability test by prominent YouTuber JerryRigEverything, with a mixed but overall positive result for its build quality. The new foldable appears to inherit the solid hinge design seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, passing the stressful “bend test” with flying colors.
Although the smartphone generally demonstrates excellent durability, the inner foldable screen, which is extremely prone to scratching in tests, appears similar to previous-generation Galaxy Z Flip models. Nevertheless, the test results point to Samsung’s ongoing efforts to make its foldable phones more resilient, while the dilemma of a durable yet flexible inner screen remains a primary focus for future development.
Results of Scratch and Burn Test
The exterior screen of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is covered in Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a durable material found on premium smartphones. On the Mohs hardness scratch test, this exterior screen exhibited scratches at level 6, and more pronounced scratches at level 7, which is the performance we’ve come to expect from other pricey phones.
The inner foldable screen, however, due to its soft polymer surface, began to develop permanent scratches at just level 2 on the Mohs scale, so that even a fingernail would leave a mark. With that in mind, Samsung provides a useful service: a free one-time replacement of the inner screen protector within the first year of purchasing the phone, with subsequent replacements available for $20 a pop.
The burn test also had mixed results between the two screens. The outer screen withstood direct flame for more than 20 seconds, with minimal damage. The inner screen, however, after withstanding flames for around 15 seconds, automatically shut down and was left with two permanent green burn marks, highlighting the differing material characteristics and their resistance to heat.
Dust Ingress and Impressive Bend Endurance
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is rated for IP48 dust protection. This was put to the test when a heap of dirt was poured over its hinge. While there was a faint crunching noise when it moved, the phone functioned normally. There were no indications of mechanical breakdown or excessive dust entering the hinge’s motion. This indicates that the internal mechanism is robust enough to keep out dust from the environment.
The most crucial test of a foldable phone’s strength, known as the bend test, revealed that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 performed extremely well. Upon being bent backward forcefully, the body of the phone deformed, and a slight crease appeared near the antenna section. Most importantly, the phone did not break or malfunction. Bending a second time produced some sound, but the phone remained largely in one piece, indicating a significant improvement in Samsung’s hinge design from its previous models.
This bending strength is extremely crucial for the phone’s longevity and for the confidence of people in using foldable smartphones. Samsung cautions that usage of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 in extremely cold locations may reduce its lifespan by up to 88%. One should be mindful of temperature extremes while operating the phone. Such temperature sensitivity is necessary for maintaining the foldable mechanism and display in good condition over an extended period.
Source: JerryRigEverything
