Samsung is flexing its innovation muscle with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, showcasing a major leap in durability for its foldable OLED panel.
The new display can reportedly withstand an astonishing 500,000 folds without failure – a massive upgrade from the previous 200,000 fold benchmark.
This achievement, verified by testing and certification company Bureau Veritas, means the Z Fold 7’s screen could last over a decade for average users, and more than six years for heavy users who fold their device over 200 times a day. The durability test was conducted over a 13-day period at room temperature (25°C or 77°F), and the panel remained fully operational throughout.
So, what’s behind this folding feat? Samsung credits a redesigned internal shock-resistant structure, taking cues from bulletproof glass technology. The company boosted the thickness of its Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) by 50% and introduced a new high-elastic adhesive between layers. This adhesive is said to offer four times the recovery strength compared to its predecessor, helping the screen bounce back from stress without damage.
Additionally, a titanium support plate has been added to the rear of the panel. Titanium is lighter yet stronger than traditional materials, offering better protection without making the device bulky. Samsung also revamped the internal structural layout to distribute impact force more evenly across the screen.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the first device to feature this upgraded display, celebrating seven years since Samsung’s debut in the foldable OLED market. Hojung Lee, EVP and Head of Mobile Display Product Planning at Samsung Display, stated that this milestone represents a major step in building consumer confidence in foldable phone durability.
While real-world performance will be the ultimate test, this breakthrough could be a game-changer for foldable devices, making them more appealing and practical for long-term use.