Foldable Smartphones Reportedly Suffering From Durability Issues

Despite the buzz around them, foldable smartphones are still new and are prone to problems and issues new devices normally face. In this case, the problem lies in the durability of their screens. While these devices are capable of being folded and unfolded at their hinges, their screens aren't very capable of withstanding the stress brought about by the constant folding and unfolding.

Samsung's Galaxy Fold, the first mainstream foldable smartphone, experienced a lot of problems with the display. The first models that were sent to reviewers reportedly broke within two days of use, even if the reviewers took extra care to protect them. Some uninformed reviewers might've peeled the protective layer off the screen, but others didn't.

The Korean tech giant took the review units back and spent a great deal of time fixing the issues. Months later, it was able to release a redesigned model that – still unsurprisingly – once again had problems with the display. At this point, it's obvious that a near $2,000 price tag can't guarantee an durable flexible screen yet.

Motorola, in an attempt to win crowds, released the new Razr, which is a modernized reboot of the 2004 iconic clamshell. The device, like Samsung's Galaxy Fold, made use of a plastic screen. The only difference is that it uses a specially-designed hinge that allows some room for the display to bend freely.

Input, after testing the new Razr for more than a week, reported that the $1,500 is suffering from major display issues. According to the tech magazine, the plastic OLED display “is now peeling apart.” The protective layer suddenly separated itself from the actual display panel. The reporter said he had no idea how it happened, but he was sure that he had taken good care of the device.

Samsung's second foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip, isn't exempted from the mess. The Korean company claims that the device is the first to use Ultra Thin Glass for its display, but noted teardown expert JerryRigEverything revealed that it's not.

In a video, the teardown expert showed that the device's display can get easily scratched and damaged, even by a user's fingernails. Apparently, the Galaxy Z Flip “does not have a true glass screen,” he said.