Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 break easily?

Foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are interesting new takes on the smartphone equation. Namely, they hark back to the clamshell nature of phones of yesteryear, while simultaneously offering massive touchscreens. The problem is that the fold itself will inherently make the device less durable. But is that to say that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Flip 3 will break easily?

Will the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Flip 3 break easily?

Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 break easily?

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 will not break easily. Samsung claims that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 screens are up to 80% more durable than previous models. Both devices’ durability is owed in part to their Gorilla Glass Victus glass, aluminum body, and protective polyester film coating.

In addition to Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Flip 3 are also built with an aluminum body, and both carry IPX8 water resistance ratings. This combination should prevent damage from drops, dings, and just about any unexpected weather conditions. Samsung designed these phones to be durable, which is why they’re both made out of the same tough materials.

Thankfully, there shouldn’t be too much of a difference with either device’s central hinge, either. Samsung has learned from previous mistakes, and the hinges should feel stronger than ever. However, since the Flip 3 is smaller and more narrow, its hinge is slightly more susceptible to overall bending. You’ll want to be careful not to overextend it while flipping the phone open.

Tougher materials including an aluminum housing and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus should prevent the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 from breaking easily. Samsung is continuing to evolve its folding designs, and these latest foldables look to be the company’s most durable yet. Just remember that the hinge will always be the device’s weakest link. Unless you want to break your phone, it’s probably best not to test the limits of its durability on purpose.

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Does the Galaxy Z Fold 3 break easily?

(Image credit: Allstate Protection Plans)

Update: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 durability just tested — here’s how tough this foldable is.

Samsung says it put a lot of effort into boosting the durability of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. And that work seems to have paid off, at least when it comes to durability testing for the new foldable phone.

The latest to put the Galaxy Z Fold 3 through some torture testing is Allstate Protection Plans, which provides insurance for mobile devices. And the firm came away impressed by the Galaxy Z Fold 3, after the foldable survived some of the drop-testing without any damage.

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"Samsung has made significant strides in the durability of foldable phones since it first introduced the Galaxy Fold in 2019," said Jason Siciliano, vice president of marketing and creative director at Allstate Protection Plans in a statement accompanying the test results. "The Galaxy Z Fold3 is one of the toughest, most durable phones we’ve ever tested, and its interior screen is the first not to crack or shatter in our drop test."

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 fared particularly well on Allstate's face-down drop test with the phone unfolded to reveal its 7.6-inch main display. After two drops, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 suffered only minor scuffing to its frame and corners as well as some minor pixel damage on the screen itself. However, the Galaxy Z fold 3's interior display didn't crack at all — the first time a smartphone hasn't shattered in the eight year Allstate Protection Plans has done phone testing.

The phone's 6.2-inch cover display didn't survive unscathed during its drop test, though. When dropped 6 feet face-down, the Galaxy Z Fold 3's outer display shattered, with raised and loose glass caused by the impact.

Despite that damage, the results in Allstate's drop-testing square with Samsung's claims about improved durability for the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Samsung says the phone features both an Armor Aluminum body and a Gorilla Glass Victus display, two features aimed at helping the Galaxy Z Fold 3 survive drops. The phone's screen uses a protective PET film that's supposed to make it 80% more durable.

In addition, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the first Samsung foldable to feature a water resistance rating. That IPX8 rating certainly delivered as promised in the Allstate Protection Plans testing, as the phone was submerged for 30 minutes in 5 feet of water with no damage reported.

Durability is a key factor for any phone, but especially so for foldable phones, as they have a lot of moving parts that can suffer from unexpected drops. There's also the matter of money — at $1,799, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most expensive phone that Samsung sells. Repair work can cost a pretty penny, too, Allstate notes, with main screen repair running $479 and outer screen repairs costing $149.

Foldable phones remain a product with niche appeal, but if they're to become embraced by a wider audience — and that's one of Samsung's stated goals — consumers will need to be comfortable with how well the phones stand up to the rigors of daily use.

So far, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 seems to be holding up well in durability testing. Allstate's test results follow similar torture testing by JerryRighEverything, which found that new foldable held up well to scratches, dirt and bending.

Still, even with the improved durability, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 isn't impervious to damage. We'd still insist that you buy one of the best Galaxy Z Fold 3 cases to help your new $1,799 avoid damage from any kind of drop.

  • More: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 teardown reveals first for foldable phones

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

How fragile is the Z fold 3?

The results are certainly not surprising since previous durability tests have proven that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is much less fragile than other foldable phones. Thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and a new protective film, the phone's main screen panel is claimed to be 80% more durable than the Galaxy Z Fold 2's.

How durable is Z fold?

Assuming the phone is used for three years, that means you should be able to flip it open and shut 182 times a day, which should be enough for even the most serious smartphone addict. However, questions have been raised over the durability of the screen protector that Samsung installs on its foldable devices.

Does Galaxy Z Flip 3 break easily?

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Survives Durability Test, Outlasts Over 418,000 Folds | Technology News.

How tough is the Galaxy Z Fold 3?

With the Infinity Flex Display, the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 can withstand over 200,000 folds. Moreover, the sweeper fibers in the hinge prevent foreign substances such as dust from entering your device.