A recent iFixit teardown reveals persistent vulnerabilities in Samsung’s latest foldable phone, sparking renewed speculation about Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone and its potential design innovations.
iFixit’s teardown of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold has offered a stark reminder of how vulnerable foldable phones remain at their hinge. The repair specialist found that the device’s IP48 rating shields the sealed parts of the handset reasonably well, but the folding mechanism itself is still a weak point when exposed to fine debris. In testing, iFixit deliberately introduced tiny particles into the hinge area, after which the phone began to grind loudly and no longer opened smoothly.
Samsung has made clear progress on the hardware. The company has revised the hinge design and reinforced the inner screen structure with titanium, which helps the panel lie flatter when unfolded. Even so, the crease down the middle of the display has not been eliminated. iFixit also said the foldable remains difficult to repair, giving it 4 out of 10 for repairability because the inner-display frame can crack during disassembly and the hinge cannot be reached without removing the screen. Battery replacement is also more intrusive, as it requires taking off the outer display.
The dust testing underlines a limitation of IP48 certification. The first digit of that rating indicates protection against solid objects larger than 1 mm, but it does not mean the phone is sealed against very fine dust or sand. iFixit used powder with particles far smaller than those found in ordinary beach sand, yet the fold mechanism still suffered. That suggests everyday pocket lint or sand could pose a real risk over time, even if the rest of the handset remains largely protected.
The teardown has also revived interest in Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone, which several outlets now refer to as the iPhone Ultra. According to MacRumors and Macworld, Apple is expected to take a book-style approach with a compact outer display and a larger inner screen, possibly using titanium and aluminium in the frame. Reports have described a crease-minimised panel, a thin hinge and a premium price that could push the device well above the standard iPhone range. Leaked dummy units published by MacRumors earlier this year also suggested Apple’s first foldable is being developed in a form similar to Samsung’s larger foldables, reinforcing the sense that the market is converging on one dominant design.
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