iPhone Requires Clamshell Design Given Android's Success with Foldable Phones
The world of foldable smartphones is set to undergo a significant transformation in 2025, with the anticipated release of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. These devices are poised to address traditional concerns about foldables, particularly in terms of durability, dust and water resistance, and usability enhancements.
### Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra"
Samsung's latest offering, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra," promises to maintain high standards in durability. The device is expected to continue with Samsung's previous IPX8 water resistance rating, though the exact updated rating for dust resistance remains unclear. Samsung has focused on reinforcing the device's sealing and hinge mechanisms to better protect against ingress of dust and water, improving reliability over previous generations.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" is also set to be the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet, measuring 4.2 mm unfolded, 8.9 mm folded, and weighing only 215 grams. This makes it lighter than even the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The foldable mechanism has been refined to feel more like a traditional bar-style smartphone in hand, enhancing comfort and portability.
The main display is an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a new 21:9 aspect ratio, offering an 11% larger screen than the previous model, with up to 2,600 nits peak brightness and Vision Booster technology for excellent outdoor visibility. The device will also feature a 200-megapixel main camera and will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, with RAM options up to 16GB for smooth multitasking and performance.
### Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Google's entry into the foldable market, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, is expected to feature an 8-inch Super Actua display with high resolution and adaptive refresh rates, competing directly with Samsung in the foldable market. While specific dust and water resistance ratings for the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold have not been fully confirmed, Google typically aims for IP ratings that meet or exceed industry standards for flagships.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is also expected to have improvements in software optimization for the foldable form factor, building on Google’s expertise in Android and AI.
### Broader Market Trends and Improvements
Manufacturers are pushing the boundaries with thinner, lighter foldables and improved hinge mechanisms to minimize wobble and potential dust ingress. Screen durability has improved significantly, with stronger ultra-thin glass layers and better crease management. Enhanced water and dust protection remain critical selling points, and top-tier foldables now typically offer at least water resistance to IPX8 levels, though full dust proofing (IP6X) remains challenging due to mechanical hinge designs.
Software interfaces are increasingly optimized for multitasking and productivity, leveraging AI to make foldables more practical for daily use.
### Summary
The foldable smartphone market in 2025 is marked by sleek, lighter, and more durable devices with improved dust and water resistance. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" stands out for its unmatched lightness, thinness, and advanced camera technology, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is poised as a strong competitor with its large, sharp display and likely competitive durability features. Both models significantly address previous durability concerns, positioning foldables as viable premium options in the smartphone market.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" is rumored to achieve a similar level of durability. Apple, being late to the foldable market, may work to its benefit if it can create a device with a thin profile and a crease-free internal display. None of the new rumors suggest these devices will be more affordable. If accurate, the Google Pixel foldable will have an IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and capable of surviving being submerged in water up to three feet for 30 minutes.
- The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, set to release in 2025, demonstrate a focus on durability in the world of foldable smartphones, with both devices aiming to address traditional concerns about foldables, particularly in terms of water and dust resistance.
- To enhance durability, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 "Ultra" is expected to maintain its IPX8 water resistance rating and improve its dust resistance, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, known for adhering to industry standards, likely has dust and water resistance features that meet or exceed industry standards.
- The technology in the tech sphere regarding foldable smartphones is progressing, with manufacturers focusing on thinner, lighter devices, improved hinge mechanisms, increased screen durability, and software optimizations for productivity and multitasking, making the future of these gadgets, such as smartphones and gizmodos, more practical and desirable.
