It may be $200 cheaper this year, but there’s no denying that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 still surpasses regular smartphones of equivalent specs when it involves price. You are, of course, paying for materials and technologies revolving around that foldable display, but which will even be a cause for friendly concern when it involves durability. Samsung made big claims about the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s increased ruggedness. While JerryRigEverything already put that to the test, SquareTrade’s Allstate has developed more brutal ways to verify Samsung’s boast.
The new Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus used for the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s body won’t precisely be the reassurance that owners and prospective buyers need. Instead, they’re presumably more concerned about the inner main display, which Samsung claimed to be 80% stronger. It still uses a film that will be scratched with very sharp fingernails, but the critical concern is whether or not it’ll survive accidental drops.
Allstate puts that to the test by dropping the foldable phone face-down, thereupon the same foldable display hitting hard concrete first. Surprisingly, the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s main display survives two such drops and remains functional apart from some minor pixel damage and minor scuffing on the corners, probably at the purpose of impact. So while most people probably won’t accidentally drop the open phone from a height of six feet, it a minimum, gives some guarantee the foldable phone won’t immediately die after a minimum of one drop from a lower height.
Ironically, the outer Cover Display received the foremost damaged when the Galaxy Z Fold 3 was dropped from an equivalent height while closed. The glass was quickly shattered, which doesn’t speak well of the protective layer that ought to have better protected the display. That said, the screen seems to be still functional, at least.
Unsurprisingly, the phone also survives a 30-minute bath during a pool depth of 5 feet, verifying its IPX8 rating. Allstate was impressed to the purpose of naming the Galaxy Z Fold 3 because the most durable phone it’s tested thus far. Of course, real-world use and accidents will vary, but this might a minimum of offer some peace of mind that the phone isn’t a fragile piece of glass.
