Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 have better durability than their predecessors. To substantiate this claim, Samsung recently revealed the secret to the durability of its two folding screen phones.
Changyoun Hwang, Advanced Lab - CMF Mobile Communication Business at Samsung Electronics, explained that when you see the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, these two phones have a fold in the middle. This means that both phones are made in three parts.
"There are two parts that are folded and one hinge in the middle. This part of the hinge needs to be made of a strong material that will help the inside of the hinge to survive," said Hwang.
The bespectacled man added that a foldable phone would require more parts. But it is important to make each part lighter and thinner, so that the folding screen phone is more portable.
To achieve this, Samsung uses special materials that are not only strong, but also able to withstand external shocks.
"So we improved the physical properties of aluminum material to make the device more durable. We used the latest and strongest aluminum material used in smartphones today," said Hwang.
Samsung developed Amor Aluminum to be harder and more durable so as to minimize the possibility of it being deformed or scratched due to external shocks. The difference is quite clear when compared to other aluminum materials currently used in the smartphone industry.
"If you knock the two together, the aluminum (which today's phones use) will scratch while (the aluminum alloy used in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip3) has no signs of damage," Hwang said while pointing out the material differences.
Amor Aluminum is used in the frame in two parts of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, as well as the entire hinge.
Waterproof
Besides being made stronger, Samsung is working to make the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 waterproof.
Jongmin Kang. Product Mechanical R&D Group, Mobile Communications Business Samsung Electronics, explained that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 pocketed IPX8. This means that both phones can survive in fresh water with a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Candy bar type smartphones like those on the market usually consist of a front and a back. Usually made of a layer of glass or plastic.
"The bar-type phone does not change its shape so that it can provide water resistance with a structure that prevents water from entering the device. This is different from foldable phones," said Jang.
As stated above, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 have two parts. There is a cable connecting the two that goes through the hinge in the middle.
As a result, Samsung has to apply water resistance to these parts and it is not easy to do considering the hinge design is arranged in such a way that it becomes a way for water to enter. So to make the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 water resistance, the key is to make the part water resistant.
Jang revealed that his party designed the structure of each cell phone to be waterproof. It is important to ensure the Flexible FCB allows electrical connections from the top and bottom.
"To do this, we drilled holes on the inside that would allow water to flow into the device. But we blocked the holes with rubber on the sides of the device and filled the open spaces with the liquid we just developed," explains Jang.
"Because the hinge is inevitably exposed to water, we apply anti-corrosion and lubricant solutions that provide strong water resistance so that the hinge will not rust even in wet conditions," he continued.
If you look at the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3, you might think that the speaker, mic and USB Type C ports are the entry points for water. Even though there are many parts that need to be protected against water, for example the fingerprint sensor that is integrated with the power button.
"Testing waterproof technology is very difficult. There are many parts of a foldable phone that may be susceptible to water damage, such as the speaker, microphone, buttons, SIM card tray, USB port and back glass. So it is very difficult to determine which part is leaking water. in. Water can even enter through the gap in the front. It's hard to know where the water leaks, "said Jang.
"We always think that every step of the development process is difficult. It's easy to tell you why something can't work, but we always need to find out what can make it work. So we join hands to come up with ideas on how we can make things work. which often leads us to the key to solving problems. But it also becomes a new task to create solutions and come up with better solutions if it doesn't work," concluded Jang.
