Samsung's Galaxy TriFold Durability Tested: Early Signs of Wear Emerge
Samsung recently unveiled its ambitious Galaxy TriFold, a foldable smartphone boasting a distinctive design. Unlike its counterparts, the TriFold positions its external display on the rear, while its primary screen folds inward, creating a remarkably compact form factor. A pivotal question surrounding such innovative devices is their real-world durability. A Korean YouTube channel, OMG_electronics, took it upon themselves to put this to the test, and their findings suggest the device succumbed to stress significantly sooner than Samsung's official claims.
Samsung's Durability Claims Under Scrutiny
During the Galaxy TriFold's unveiling, Samsung stated the device had successfully completed 200,000 fold cycles. The company extrapolated this figure to equate to 100 folds per day for five years, a seemingly impressive feat. However, this number pales in comparison to the Galaxy Fold7, which Samsung reports can withstand a staggering 500,000 folds. It's important to acknowledge that expecting identical resilience from the TriFold would be premature. This represents the first generation of a device with a fundamentally more complex, dual-hinge mechanism, whereas the Fold line has undergone seven generations of refinement. This disparity in maturity and engineering complexity underscores the rationale behind the rigorous stress test.
The Fold Test: A Grueling Endurance Run
The OMG_electronics channel embarked on a live-streamed durability test of the Galaxy TriFold. A team of presenters took turns continuously folding and unfolding the device until it reached its breaking point. The outcome was an unexpectedly early surrender. The multi-day test revealed a gradual degradation of the hinge mechanism. After approximately 61,000 folds, the first hinge began emitting a faint, almost imperceptible creak. By the 121,000-fold mark, similar auditory cues emerged from the second hinge.
When Does 'Wear' Become 'Broken'?
The critical juncture arrived around 144,000 folds, where the presenters observed a significant loss of hinge "elasticity." This meant the smartphone could no longer maintain its fully extended position without external support, and the folding/unfolding action became noticeably stiffer. While the device didn't outright cease to function – the screen remained operational, displaying images and responding to touch – this mechanical compromise represents a substantial drawback for everyday use, almost certainly necessitating a trip to a service center. Therefore, pinpointing an exact moment of failure proves elusive; it's a spectrum of wear and tear. The screen continued to function, displaying images and responding to touch, but this mechanical compromise is a significant flaw for daily use, likely requiring repair.
Contextualizing the Results: Real-World vs. Lab Conditions
It's crucial to consider the extreme conditions of the test. The TriFold was subjected to relentless folding and unfolding for eight consecutive days, devoid of the natural pauses and varied usage patterns typical of real-world scenarios. Within this context, the Galaxy TriFold demonstrated a commendable degree of resilience. In typical daily use, it's highly probable that the device would comfortably meet Samsung's advertised 200,000 fold lifespan. The official release of the Samsung Galaxy TriFold is anticipated for early 2026.
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