Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5 screens can't last 200,000 folds in cold

Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables claiming that they can withstand up to 200,000 folds in their lifetime. That’s enough to run more than five years even if you fold/unfold the devices 100 times every day. However, you have to be wary of where you are using the foldables. The folding screen may give in much earlier if you live in extremely hot or cold environments, particularly the latter.

Noted testing and certification agency Bureau Veritas tested the durability of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables. The agency confirmed that the inner folding screen and the redesigned hinge are strong enough to work fine for at least 200,000 folds, a figure the Korean firm proudly displays in its promotions. However, it doesn’t tell you that you are supposed to use the devices at room temperature (77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celcius).

The folding screen may break a lot quicker at temperatures higher or lower than that. Bureau Veritas’s official figures are 150,000 folds at 140 degrees Fahrenheit/60 degrees Celsius and just 30,000 folds at –4 (minus 4) degrees Fahrenheit/–20 (minus 20) degrees Celcius. The latter fold rating is particularly worrying because it’s a temperature that people in some regions may experience during the peak winter months.

Avoid exposing your Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 to cold weather

We have heard of foldable screens being more fragile in cold before. Several users have previously confirmed suffering damage due to cold weather. We now have an estimate of how fragile foldables are at low temperatures. 30,000 folds means less than a year of usage (300 days) with 100 folds every day. To keep the foldables running perfectly for at least two years, you have to fold/unfold them just about 40 times a day on average.

Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone would be subject to such extreme cold every day for two to three years. But, if the device is cold, the screen may break easily. If you live in a region where the temperature drops well below the freezing point, you might want to reconsider buying a foldable phone. And it’s not just about Samsung foldables. Devices from other brands should also be subject to similar fold ratings at low temperatures.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are currently available for pre-order from Samsung.com and other retail channels, including several carriers in the US. The Korean firm will open general sales of the new foldables on August 11 in dozens of countries around the world.