Samsung will start performing reliability tests on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 “waterdrop” hinge before the end of the week, as per new industry reports. The testing period will last roughly one month, after which Samsung will likely start manufacturing the necessary hinge components at a larger scale.
The new hinge design for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will allow the phone to fold perfectly without leaving a gap between the two halves of the phone. This hinge is more expensive to manufacture, but Samsung now appears to be confident enough in its foldable phone sales to adopt this pricier design for mass production.
Thanks to this new hinge, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is rumored to have a thickness of 13-to-14mm and a less noticeable display crease. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 measures 14.2mm near the edges and 15.8mm at the hinge.
As for the upcoming test, Samsung will reportedly fold the Z Fold 5 200,000 times, hoping that the hinge will lose no more than 15% of its initial strength. The 200,000-fold test should take around five days, and Samsung will likely perform multiple tests throughout the month. (via The Elec)
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 should be unveiled in August or September. The upcoming model may represent one of the greatest advancements Samsung has ever made in the foldable phone department after the release of the original Galaxy Fold in 2019.