Galaxy Z Fold 2 durability test reveals major fixes and enduring flaws

If you want an illustration of how Samsung’s foldable phone technology has advanced, look no further. JerryRigEverything (aka Zack Nelson) has put the Galaxy Z Fold 2 through a durability test, and it’s evident the hinge is considerably more reliable than on the original Fold — though the same can’t be said for the inner display.

Unlike the first Fold, which quickly succumbed to dirt, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has a resilient hinge that kept working properly even after it was covered in earth. Nelson chalked that up to bristles (already seen on the Galaxy Z Flip) that keep the hinge clear. You may not want to be reckless, but you can likely keep the phone in your pocket without fear that dust will ruin your $2,000 gem.

It’s also particularly strong. Nelson couldn’t snap the hinge despite his best efforts to bend the phone backward.

Read more: The best foldable phones you can get

The durability test wasn’t kind to the inner Galaxy Z Fold 2 display, however. It’s still easy to scratch the screen, even with a fingernail. You’ll likely want to leave the protector on, as it may be your only defense against a costly replacement. While this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll wreck the display, you’ll want to be gentle. The outer display (which uses Gorilla Glass Victus) is as scratch-resistant as what you’ll find on many other modern phones, at least.

Nelson added that the fingerprint reader built into the power button was “picky” in top form, and quickly became unreliable after it took some scratches.

The test suggests that Samsung has made great strides with durability with the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but that it’s still running into the limits of foldable displays. This remains a device for early adopters — it’s just that Samsung is considerably closer to taking foldables into the mainstream.