Samsung is starting its reliability test for the waterdrop hinge it will adopt on its next foldable smartphone, likely to be called Galaxy Z Fold 5, TheElec has learned.
The final reliability test will last around a month and the company is expected to finalize the concept afterward, sources said.
This means KH Vatec and other hinge suppliers will begin production in May.
Samsung had used the U-shape hinge for its past foldable smartphones.
The waterdrop hinge has the part of the hinge that is folded take a shape like a waterdrop instead of a "U".
This looser and thinner form of hinge allows the screen to be completely folded while lessening the crease that happens from this.
The drawback of this hinge is its durability, but Samsung is still aiming to make it 14mm or thinner.
Last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 had a hinge that was 15.8mm thick.
Samsung will be folding its new phone 200,000 to 300,000 times during its month-long test.
Using machinery, folding a phone 200,000 times takes around four to five days.
After 200,000 folds, the strength of the foldable panel must change by less than 15% for it to be deemed durable.
