Samsung shows us just how durable its new foldables are in extreme temperature

Samsung has been hyping its foldable phones for a while, and while sales haven’t exactly exploded, the South Korean company isn’t giving up on the idea just yet. This week, it shared a video showing just how durable its new Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip are in extreme temperatues.

The folding smartphones aren’t cheap, and they’re likely even more expensive than most smartphones that cost less than $1,000. But Samsung wants to make sure these devices are worth the extra investment, so it’s put them through a series of tests that prove just how tough they really are.

For example, the phone is sprayed with a hose and dipped into a pool to demonstrate that they can handle a good soaking. But that’s not the end of it — Samsung engineers also test the hinge components and electrical connections in order to ensure that they can handle the stress of being constantly folded and unfolded. The new devices are IPX8 rated, meaning they can be submerged in 5 feet of water for 30 minutes.

Another test involves beating up the phones with a steel ball, and the results are equally impressive. The crease is a weak point on most phones, but the Galaxy Z Fold4 can endure more than 50 beatings, so users won’t have to worry about accidentally bending it in their pocket or purse. Samsung also tested the durability of its patented Armor Aluminum alloy, which is used in the folding frames and hinge cover. Engineers took a block of the material and knocked it right into a conventional aluminum block, which was left in far worse shape.

The Fold and Flip can also be pushed down on a flat surface without any problems, and they can withstand 2,000 pounds of pressure. But Samsung hasn’t just slapped on a bunch of plastic covers and called it a day — the devices are also running a new version of One UI that’s designed to work well with the foldable form factor. This point build of Android 13 is dubbed 5.1.1, and it includes a few new foldable-specific features like better drag-and-drop support in split-screen, S Pen drawing enhancements, and improved app previews in the task bar.

Those enhancements are sure to appeal to users who want a smartphone that looks like an ultra-thin tablet when it’s open, or a traditional flip phone in its clamshell configuration. The two new Samsung Galaxy Fold devices will be available starting tomorrow, and they’ll cost $1,800 for the Fold4 and $1,000 for the Flip4. If you want to learn more about Samsung’s new foldable phones, check out our hands-on videos from Unpacked. Then head over to our buying guide for tips and advice before making your purchase.