The Google Pixel Fold could trump the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 for durability

Date:
Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:01:03 +0000

Description:
The Google Pixel Fold might have a more durable hinge than rivals, plus water resistance and a big battery.

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One big issue with foldable phones is how vulnerable to damage and wear they are. All those moving parts leave them more exposed to dust than more conventional phones, as well as making them harder to protect against water damage; not to mention they have a hinge that will inevitably wear out. Thats a big problem, especially given how expensive they tend to be, but the Google Pixel Fold might have rivals beat in this regard.

According to CNBC , which claims to have seen internal communications, the Google Pixel Fold will have the most durable hinge on a foldable phone.

They dont get into specifics, but wed guess durability is being measured by how many times you can fold it open and closed (measure that Oppo refers to
as a 'cycle'). On that front, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is rated to survive a minimum of 200,000 cycles, but the likes of the Honor Magic Vs and Oppo
Find N2 are rated for 400,000 cycles.

As such, if Google is using this metric and this report holds true, then the Google Pixel Fold should be able to withstand over 400,000 folds. Perhaps 500,000, given that these ratings seem to all be in multiples of 100,000.

That could also keep the Pixel Fold ahead of upcoming competition, with a
leak suggesting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 will only be tested for up to 300,000 folds .

These numbers might sound pointlessly large, but if youre a heavy phone user you could easily be glancing at your phone hundreds of times a day. Of
course, that doesnt necessarily mean youll be unfolding it, since theres also a cover screen, but you might, and the more folds it can withstand the more reassurance you have that it wont wear out before you're ready to upgrade. Durable in more than one way

The other big part of foldable phone durability is water resistance
something which recent offerings like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z
Flip 4 and Huawei's Mate X3 all offer, but which most other foldables dont. According to this report, the Google Pixel Fold will join this exclusive
club.

The level of water resistance isnt mentioned but with the majority of smartphones with certified water resistance topping out at an IP68 rating (or an IPX8 rating, in the case of foldables as they dont have the dust
resistance part... yet), theres a fair chance that the Pixel Fold will adopt this same level of protection against the wet stuff.

With as much water resistance as Samsungs and Huawei's foldable phones, more than other rivals, and a more durable hinge than any other foldable out
there, the Pixel Fold could have quite the set of selling points.

Thats especially good news, because this report also echoes another leak in saying that the Google Pixel Fold will likely start at upwards of $1,700 (around 1,365 / AU$2,535), so tell your bank account to steel itself.

The report also mentions a few other things that weve heard before, including that the Pixel Fold will apparently have a Tensor G2 chipset (like the Pixel
7 line), a 7.6-inch folding screen, and a 5.8-inch cover screen.

Other new information includes a claim that it will weigh around 283g, making it slightly heavier than the 263g Galaxy Z Fold 4. However, it might also
pack in a bigger battery, as while we dont know the exact capacity, this report claims that it will last for a respectable 24 hours, or up to 72 hours in low power mode.

We should find out all the official details soon, as multiple leaks
including this one have said that the Google Pixel Fold will be announced at Google IO 2023 on May 10.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/google-pixel-fold-could-trump-samsung-galaxy-z- fold-4-for-durability


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