In cursory: Samsung'due south first Galaxy Fold famously suffered a number of durability issues that saw its launch delayed, but how does the third iteration of the foldable stand up to abuse? JerryRigEverything institute out by subjecting the device to the YouTube aqueduct'south usual circular of torture tests.

In trying to alleviate fears that the visitor'due south $one,800 phone is easily damaged, Samsung claims the new 7.6-inch primary screen is "eighty% harder" than its predecessor. The AMOLED is covered with ultra-thin glass and a screen protector. Zack Nelson notes that the Mohs scale of hardness isn't the best for plastic as information technology volition all autumn between levels 2 and iii, which is the instance with the Milky way Z Fold three; the brandish nether the plastic might be tougher, but the plastic layer is still pretty soft. However, Samsung does warn during the startup not to touch the brandish with fingernails.

The Gorilla Glass Victus-covered front and rear of the phone scratch at level half-dozen with deeper grooves at level 7, which is expected, so keys and coins in pockets shouldn't do any damage.

Next upwardly is the special S-Pen designed for the Z Fold 3. Information technology comes with a spring-loaded tip that does seem to protect the screen from damage. Snapping the stylus in two appears relatively piece of cake, though, so try not to take out your anger on it.

Samsung has also praised the Z Fold three's new Armor Aluminum frame. Nelson notes that information technology scratches at about the same level as most other aluminum phones, though the damage is superficial. The frame does make the handset much less susceptible to cracking, nonetheless, as nosotros can see during the snap tests later in the video.

The foldable comes with an IPX8 rating, meaning information technology's water-resistant, simply information technology's not dust proof. Samsung reportedly protects the phone from water by covering the internals with an oleophobic coating that repels liquid without beingness watertight. Nelson covers the Z Fold 3 with clay and closes the device, and while that does get out scratches on the screen, the folding mechanism appears to work fine—debris entering the gap betwixt the get-go Galaxy Fold'due south display and torso acquired a lot of issues.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 performed pretty well throughout about of the tests, peculiarly for a bendable device—which at one time had a reputation for damaging hands. A recent teardown that showed off the phone's inner workings confirmed it's but as difficult to repair as the previous Folds, so we tin all appreciate the improved sturdiness.