When a tech enthusiast decided to push Samsung’s latest foldable to its limits, the resulting experiment was nothing short of dramatic. Armed only with patience, determination, and a willingness to bend his phone into submission, the YouTuber embarked on a mission to fold and unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a staggering 200,000 times. The goal? To see if this high-end device could withstand the real-world rigors of a punishing fold test over time.
The test itself was refreshingly low-tech: manual folds delivered at a steady, human pace. Rather than using an automated rig, the creator relied on consistency and repetition, aiming for roughly 100 folds per minute. This method, though labor-intensive, mimics how an everyday user might handle the Fold 7 in daily life—opening it for videos, closing it for calls, and stowing it away in pockets or bags.
Early results were promising. At 50,000 folds, the hinge felt as smooth as day one, and the screen showed no visible creases beyond what Samsung advertises as a trademark “fold line.” By 100,000 cycles, minor changes began to emerge: a slight increase in resistance when opening the device and a faint sound from the hinge mechanism. Still, the display remained responsive, touch accuracy was unaffected, and there was no sign of dust infiltration.
As the tally approached 150,000 folds, performance hiccups became more pronounced. The phone occasionally hesitated registering taps near the crease, and the hinge required noticeably more force. These quirks, however, did not translate into outright failure. The device powered on and off, ran apps and multitasked without crashing—evidence that Samsung’s engineering is robust, even under extreme strain.
Putting these findings in context with previous generations reveals incremental improvements. While the Z Fold 5 held up admirably under similar tests, the Fold 7’s strengthened hinge and refined protective layers outperformed its predecessor by roughly 20%. It suggests that Samsung’s iterative approach to foldable durability is paying off, inch by inch, fold by fold.
From a consumer perspective, this trial underscores both excitement and caution. On one hand, the Fold 7 shows real promise for daily use, offering confidence that the device won’t deteriorate overnight. On the other, the wear observed highlights that foldables remain mechanically complex. Owners should expect gradual changes in feel—and perhaps consider protective accessories or periodic maintenance to keep their phones in prime condition.
In the grand scheme of smartphone evolution, this experiment illuminates a key truth: foldables are no longer a fragile novelty, but a maturing technology with practical resilience. While few users will ever fold their device 200,000 times, knowing that it can endure such stress opens the door to bolder designs and innovative form factors. Ultimately, the Fold 7’s endurance test proves that the future of mobile tech is flexible, enduring, and ready to bend the rules—literally.
