Samsung Display has made a significant announcement regarding the durability of its latest foldable OLED panel used in the Galaxy Z Fold 7. They now claim that the panel can withstand an impressive 500,000 folds without failure, a notable improvement from the previous limit of 200,000 folds.
This milestone reflects advancements that could result in over 10 years of use for the average consumer and around 6 years for those who frequently use their devices more than 200 times a day. The durability of the OLED panel has been verified by Bureau Veritas, a well-respected global testing and certification organization.
The tests, conducted at room temperature over a span of 13 days, confirmed that the panel maintained its functionality after undergoing half a million folds. This substantial increase in longevity can be credited to innovative design enhancements, including a shock-resistant internal structure inspired by bulletproof glass.
Samsung has improved the Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) by increasing its thickness by 50%, coupled with the introduction of a high-elastic adhesive that boasts four times the recovery performance of previous materials. Additionally, a new structural design helps evenly distribute shock, and a titanium support plate has been integrated at the back of the panel.
This unique combination of materials not only provides enhanced protection but also reduces bulk. As the first Samsung foldable to feature this upgraded panel, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 marks seven years since Samsung pioneered foldable OLED devices.
Hojung Lee, the EVP and Head of Mobile Display Product Planning at Samsung Display, expresses that these developments are crucial for fostering consumer confidence in foldable technology. While these laboratory findings are promising, the true test will be real-world usage to determine if the improvements hold up.
Nevertheless, this advancement marks a significant step toward making foldable smartphones a viable option for long-term use.