Even the Latest and Greatest Foldable Phone Isn’t Truly Dustproof
On paper, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 carries an IP48 rating, but iFixit’s teardown says the foldable phone is vulnerable even to the fine debris that finds its way into your pocket.
An IP48 rating covers two types of protection. The “4” means the phone resists solid objects measuring at least 1mm wide. It does not certify protection against fine dust, sand, powder, or small lint fibers. The “8” shows water resistance tested in controlled conditions.
iFixit used fine UV-reactive powder and sand in its hinge test, then repeatedly folded and unfolded the Fold 8. The powder particles were about 0.04mm, while the sand particles were 0.16mm. After the test, the hinge made crunching and grinding noises, and the device did not open normally.
“If your $2,000 phone sounds like it’s chewing gravel, that’s generally frowned upon,” iFixit’s teardown reads.
Credit: iFixit
Technically, the test does not prove that all pocket lint will cause every Fold 8 to fail. But it does show that small debris can reach a vulnerable area in the hinge and pockets, and fleece-lined or brushed-fabric pockets are the worst practical choice because their fuzzy surface can shed and hold fine fibers.
iFixit gave the Fold 8 a provisional repairability score of 4 out of 10. Technicians need to remove the inner display to reach the hinge, which could damage the thin OLED panel and its plastic bezel.
That said, “once we got inside, Samsung deserved some credit,” iFixit said. “The back cover isn’t awful to remove, and the sealed portions of the phone did a surprisingly good job. There was some UV dust around the edges and near the cameras, but the batteries, boards, and main electronics were remarkably clean.”
No doubt, Samsung has added features like Armor FlexHinge, a titanium-reinforced display structure, and an Armor Aluminum frame to improve durability, but these do not give the phone certified resistance to fine dust. If you preordered the Fold 8, beware of the ultra-fine stuff that could make its way into your new phone.
