Foldable Phones: Dust Resistance Challenge Hinders Full Recommendation

Foldable phones stand out as a remarkable innovation, offering a design different from traditional smartphones. After a long period dominated by flat devices, Samsung has shifted the market by introducing foldable screens, drawing attention to this new category.

Challenges of the First Generations of Foldable Phones

In the early stages, book-like foldable phones, such as the first versions from Samsung, faced challenges related to the durability of the inner screen. Noticeable bulges appeared or screen damage occurred when attempting to remove the factory-installed protective layer, which was designed to remain permanently adhered.

Early versions of foldable phones, including the first Motorola Razr and Samsung Flip, were not without challenges. They were marred by significant performance compromises, along with serious concerns about device durability, and high prices that were not justified by the novelty of the technology alone.

Evolution of Design and External Displays

The foldable phone market saw a remarkable transformation with the launch of the Motorola Razr Plus 2023. This device introduced a large 3.6-inch external display, adding expanded functional capabilities like receiving text messages, browsing the Spotify library, and running full applications. Samsung quickly followed this development, offering more practical cover screens in its new devices.

The Challenge of Dust Resistance and IP Rating

Despite significant advancements in foldable screens and hinges, in addition to the integration of water resistance, this category of phones still suffers from a lack of dust resistance. Current foldable phones carry an IP48 rating, which provides limited protection against very fine particles. However, particles smaller than one millimeter can still penetrate the device, potentially leading to internal malfunctions.

To understand these differences more clearly, "IP" in IP rating refers to "Ingress Protection," which is a global standard that defines the degree of resistance of devices to dust and water. The first digit in the rating represents resistance to solid objects and dust, while the second digit indicates water resistance. For example, in IP48 rating: the digit "4" means the device is protected against solid objects larger than 1mm, such as wires or small screws, but it does not provide full protection against fine dust. The digit "8," on the other hand, indicates the device's ability to withstand continuous immersion in water for a specified depth and duration, usually better than "7." In contrast, an IP68 rating means the device is completely "dustproof" (digit 6) and capable of immersion in water (digit 8) according to specific manufacturer conditions. This demonstrates that foldable phones with an IP4X rating lack the higher degree of protection against dust ingress that phones with an IP6X rating provide. Source: Android Authority, Source: Digital Trends.

Although many users of foldable phones may not experience direct problems due to dust, the majority of traditional smartphones in a similar price range offer an integrated IP68 rating. This difference makes it difficult to recommend spending a significant amount close to $1000 on a foldable phone that remains vulnerable to dust damage.

Future Prospects and Market Competitors

In the context of these challenges, Minsook Kang, head of smartphone planning at Samsung, stated that developing a foldable phone with full dust resistance is not impossible, but represents a complex engineering challenge. Rumors are currently circulating about the possibility of the Google Pixel 10 Pro including dust resistance, which would be a significant advancement in the industry.

In addition, foldable phones are available in markets outside the United States from leading companies such as Oppo, Huawei, and Xiaomi. Both Samsung and Motorola have strengthened their lineup of foldable phones this year, offering a wider price range between $699 and $1299. Motorola Razr phones feature a unique user experience, including games designed specifically for the external screen, retro-style music, and a mode that mimics the classic interface of the original Razr phone.