We are talking about protection from water and dust in such devices. It may first appear in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 2.
Foldable smartphones still suffer from durability issues, and this (and the very high cost) discourages many potential buyers, but some manufacturers are already starting to address this issue. For example, Samsung has used an ultra-thin glass display as well as a stronger hinge mechanism in the current generation of its Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphones. However, such devices are still very vulnerable to water and dust resistance. Last week, Korean media reported that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be missing a dedicated hole for the S Pen, and now SamMobile claims that the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 2 will receive IP protection.
The IP rating of the enclosure of electrical equipment is awarded to a device that is protected against ingress of solid objects and water. For example, IP67, inherent in most modern smartphones, indicates that the body of the device provides complete protection against dust and other external particles, and can also withstand full immersion in water to a depth of 1 m for no more than 30 minutes.
Industry sources claim that both models of Samsung upcoming foldable smartphones will have an IP rating, but the classification is currently unknown. It is unlikely to be IP68 like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but at least a major improvement is expected in this regard. Surely this is what buyers want with the nearly $2K device.
According to a recent leak, the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will have a 7.5-inch screen on the inside and a 6.2-inch screen on the outside. The smartphone will also be equipped with a selfie camera under the display and a 4,380 mAh battery. Galaxy Z Flip 2, in turn, can get a 6.7-inch main display and one external display with a diagonal of 1.83 inches. Unfortunately, in terms of autonomy, it will not be better than its predecessor due to the 3200 mAh battery. The rest of the characteristics of the Galaxy Z Flip 2 remain a mystery at the moment.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 2 are rumored to be unveiled at the Unpacked event this summer, and Samsung plans to launch new smartphones later this year.