A foldable is exactly that — a folding phone. Unlike bar-type smartphones with a single body, foldables consist of a central hinge and two folding sides. The hinge serves as the central axis for opening and closing the phone. Over time, Samsung has introduced unique, cutting-edge technology into the hinge mechanism of its Galaxy Z Fold series to create a revolutionary hinge design with each release. In addition, Samsung has continued to reduce the thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold series so the phone can be carried anytime, anywhere.

Samsung Newsroom looked back at the evolution of the Galaxy Z Fold series’ sleek profile and distinctive hinge design — now thinner, sturdier and compact as ever.

[2019] Galaxy Fold

The Dawn of Foldable Phones: Folding and Unfolding

Thickness when folded: 15.7-17.1mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.9-7.6mm Weight: 276g

As user lifestyles continue to diversify, so too do their needs. Samsung has consistently introduced advanced technologies each year to meet these changes. First unveiled in 2019, the Galaxy Fold featured a groundbreaking form factor — the first to deliver a natural, big-screen experience when unfolded and a compact, portable experience when folded. The act of “folding and unfolding” emerged as a new category of mobile interaction, and Samsung applied never-before-seen hinge technology to ensure this functionality felt natural and intuitive.

The inward-folding hinge not only felt familiar and easy to use, but it also provided robust display protection. The phone could be smoothly opened like a book, yet stay flat and thin when folded. The palm-sized dimensions were key to its convenience. With the first Galaxy Fold, Samsung achieved a maximum folded thickness of just 17.1 millimeters and ushered in the era of smart foldables.

[2020] Galaxy Z Fold2

The Era of Flex Mode: Hideaway Hinge and Sweeper Technology

Thickness when folded: 13.8-16.8mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.0-6.9mm Weight: 282g

In 2020, the successor to the pioneering Galaxy Fold was released. The Galaxy Z Fold2 took foldables to the next level with an all-new sophisticated and refined design. The most notable of its several innovative features was the Hideaway Hinge, which seamlessly connected the body of the smartphone while supporting stable folding and unfolding. Users could mount the Galaxy Z Fold2 at various angles with the Hideaway Hinge to easily take selfies and make video calls in Flex Mode.

The Hideaway Hinge’s more than sixty parts made the innovative dual CAM mechanism a reality. The flat surface between two ridge-shaped parts, CAM helped keep the device open or closed and enabled Flex Mode. By increasing the number of CAM structures and springs, the hinge could reliably support wider angles. The Hideaway Hinge was mounted on an optimal location on the Galaxy Z Fold2 for an even slimmer design and a maximum folded thickness of just 16.8 millimeters.

Since the hinge was constantly folded when the device was opened or closed, there was an inevitable gap between the front of the device and the hinge housing. To effectively minimize this gap, Samsung needed to develop a component that would be long-lasting and elastic without adding extra bulk. Inspired by the brush of a vacuum cleaner, Samsung made use of delicately cut optical fibers to address this issue: Sweeper Technology. Sweeper Technology protected the phone’s display from external dust and debris that could enter through the gap , providing a more fluid foldable device experience.

[2021] Galaxy Z Fold3

The Solution to the Foldable Phone’s Biggest Challenge: Waterproofing

Thickness when folded: 14.4-16.0mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.4mm Weight: 271g

It’s a given that today’s smartphones are waterproof. However, the hinge that opened and closed the screen on foldables would always be exposed to the elements. If liquids such as beverages or even rainwater leaked inside, the device would be at risk of immediate malfunction.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 was the first foldable to be water resistant, one of the biggest challenges that previous foldable devices faced. Samsung’s waterproofing technology was applied to two areas — the outer part of the display and the hinge. The outer part of the display was surrounded by a rubber band that prevented dust and liquid from entering, whereas the metal parts of the hinge were made of corrosion-resistant materials and coated with a long-lasting lubricant. The terminal connecting the two mainboards bordering the hinge was sealed with a silicone-based cured-in-place gasket (CIPG) that prevented liquid from entering the device. Additionally, flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) cables were used to protect sensitive components.

A robust material that withstands external shocks and reduces the risk of deformities or scratches, Armor Aluminum was used to help the Galaxy Z Fold3 achieve an even thinner and lighter form factor.

Armor Aluminum was applied to the two edges that make up the exterior and to the housing that surrounds the hinge. Various components were densely packed inside the Galaxy Z Fold3’s Hideaway Hinge to enable Flex Mode and ensure smooth opening and closing. To support these functions, the hinge housing needed to be made from sturdy materials.

The Sweeper Technology that closed the gap between the hinge and the body of the foldable evolved too. As the device became slimmer, the sweeper’s bristles were shortened to improve aesthetics while still keeping the hinge safe from dust and external particles. These innovations allowed the Galaxy Z Fold3 to be as thin as 16.0 millimeters when folded.

[2022] Galaxy Z Fold4

From Rotating to Linear: A Slimmer, Lighter Hinge

Thickness when folded: 14.2-15.8mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.3mm Weight: 263g

Unveiled in 2022, the Galaxy Z Fold4 saw a significant reduction in weight and thickness. At 263 grams, the device weighed nearly 20 grams less than the Galaxy Z Fold2 at 282 grams. The maximum folded thickness was 15.8 millimeters, making this foldable the thinnest in the series at the time. Once again, Samsung loaded its signature foldable with innovation — resulting in an easy-to-grip, thin and lightweight body.

Redesigned to be 21% lighter than its predecessor, the new hinge of the Galaxy Z Fold4 accommodated the wider width and shorter length of the Cover Screen. While the previous foldable in the series used interlocking gears to ensure even screen folding and unfolding, the Galaxy Z Fold4 changed the hinge motion from rotary to linear. This adjustment drastically reduced weight, thickness and the number of parts, which streamlined manufacturing and improved the device’s resilience. With the Galaxy Z Fold4, Samsung built its slimmest, lightest hinge at the time while upholding the same level of durability as the previous form factor.

[2023] Galaxy Z Fold5

Flex Hinge: The Secret to a Fully Foldable Phone

Thickness when folded: 13.4mm Thickness when unfolded: 6.1mm Weight: 253g

In 2023, the Galaxy Z Fold5 introduced the world to the next generation of foldable smartphones. Moving away from the traditional Hideaway Hinge, Samsung unveiled a new type of mechanism called the Flex Hinge — demonstrating a leap forward in foldable innovation. With improved flexibility and a wide range of features, the Flex Hinge made it possible for the display to curl into the hinge like a water droplet using four drive shafts and a dual rail structure that allowed parts to glide along it. Thanks to this hinge technology, the two screens could be evenly folded without any creases or gaps.

This new folding mechanism resulted in the lightest and thinnest Galaxy Z Fold series device yet. More than two millimeters thinner than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold5’s maximum thickness is 13.4 millimeters when folded. The foldable also weighs 253 grams — 10 grams lighter than its predecessor — making it more compact, portable and stable when folded. The phone’s sleek, solid shape could be appreciated from any angle.

Each year, Samsung refines the Galaxy Z Fold series by leveraging precise engineering and meticulous manufacturing processes. Every detail is studied carefully, from internal mechanisms to exterior design. Reimagining the hinges and device thickness — core attributes of the foldable — has enhanced the utility of the Galaxy Z Fold series immensely. Samsung will continue to build on its legacy of unprecedented foldables, ensuring that more people can utilize them for an even more convenient life.

Discover the next generation of Samsung’s innovations at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 on July 10 in Paris.

From multiple hands-free viewing options to pro-grade content creation, here’s everything you need to know about the improved Flex mode on the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Two Screens, One Seamless Experience

By bringing enhanced versatility to both the Cover and Main Screen, Flex mode makes the Galaxy Z Fold2 a device that can help you accomplish any task on the go.

The device comes with a larger 6.2-inch Cover Screen, giving you quick access to notifications and ample space to complete general tasks, such as viewing and replying to messages. Let’s say you want to watch a video link your friend sent you in detail. Simply tap on the link and watch content right on the Cover Screen in both portrait and landscape mode.

Flex mode allows you to watch content without interruption even when you unfold the device. The feature automatically brings all the apps that are opened on the Cover Screen to the Main Screen, so you don’t have to waste any time and start all over again.

Keep Your Hands Free

Whether you are attending a virtual meeting in a café or following a video recipe in the kitchen, the Galaxy Z Fold2 can free up your hands and give you more flexibility while multitasking. The Hideaway Hinge allows both the Cover and Main Screen to stay open at multiple angles without a stand, providing you with a wide range of viewing options for all types of situations.

When you unfold the Galaxy Z Fold2 slightly and rest the device on a surface, you can view content on the Cover Screen hands-free. If you need more space to work with, just open the device further to change from the Cover to the Main Screen. In this mode, the top half of the Main Screen will play the video, while the bottom half will show the video controls.

For a more immersive entertainment experience, all you need to do is unfold the device fully. Featuring an Infinity-O Display with 120Hz refresh rate, the fully unfolded 7.6-inch Main Screen delivers lifelike, dynamic visuals. With high-dynamic dual speakers, you can enjoy incredible sound quality while watching your favorite content.

Shoot With Maximum Flexibility

When used with Flex mode, the Galaxy Z Fold2’s cameras become even more powerful, allowing you to shoot exactly the way you want. The flexibility enabled by the feature lets you maximize the advantage of the rear camera, even when you are taking selfies. Simply turn on the Camera app on the Cover Screen and tap on the Rear Cam Selfie button. You can then unfold the device to take selfies with the rear camera while using the Cover Screen as a viewfinder.

Capture View mode on the Galaxy Z Fold2 lets you check photos and videos as you shoot. The feature works with Flex mode, so you can view up to five of your recent captures in the bottom half of the Main Screen, while the preview of the next shot remains in the top half.

Collaboration between the subject and photographer is key to creating dynamic images. Dual Preview on the Galaxy Z Fold2 makes this process effortless by showing a preview of the image on both the Cover and Main Screen. The subject can adjust their pose based on the Cover Screen preview, while the photographer can find the perfect composition with the larger preview on the Main Screen. Dual Preview also works with video and it can be activated in Pro Video mode.

Whether you are taking part in the latest dance challenge or filming a vlog, Auto framing on the Galaxy Z Fold2 can help you create content on your own, wherever you are. It keeps the subject in focus, even when it’s in motion, so you don’t need to worry about staying in the frame when you are filming alone.

Whether it’s taking a group selfie or a hyperlapse video at night, Flex mode on the Galaxy Z Fold2 allows users to shoot from more angles than ever before. With the addition of advanced video features and Auto framing, Samsung’s latest foldable device makes it effortless for users to capture breathtaking footage.

Check out the video below to hear Samsung experts explain the key camera features of the Galaxy Z Fold2 and how they work together with Flex mode to deliver innovative photo and video experiences.

*Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Korean

The Galaxy Z Fold2 was designed to empower users to be just as determined, flexible and confident as the smartphone itself. Samsung’s latest flagship device unfolds an entirely new way of life – one that transcends the limitations of yesterday, makes it easier to juggle more roles than ever, and allows you to focus on being yourself.

Follow along as we examine each fascinating facet of the Galaxy Z Fold2’s design.

Built for Broadening Horizons

The Galaxy Z Fold2 has been optimized, inside and out, to take the foldable smartphone experience to the next level.

The device’s delicately refined UI elevates the quality of the overall user experience, while its expanded Cover Screen further enhances usability. The Cover Screen itself has been made larger, measuring a full 6.2 inches, and its bezels have been made thinner. The combination of a 6.2-inch Cover Screen and a 7.6-inch Main Screen makes the Galaxy Z Fold2 similar in size to a typical smartphone when folded, and a small tablet when opened. When viewing content, the thinner bezels and notch-less Infinity-O Display maximize immersion, allowing users to enjoy the full benefits that come with a bigger screen.

The smartphone’s expanded Cover Screen unlocks a variety of convenient experiences. Now, users can do just as much on the Galaxy Z Fold2’s Cover Screen as they could on a typical smartphone’s screen. When folded, the display makes it easy to do everything from viewing content to taking pictures or replying to messages. When unfolded, the device’s Main Screen is handy for capturing and viewing photos and videos.

The Galaxy Z Fold2’s enhanced UI offers users a variety of ways to divide up the Main Screen for seamless multitasking. When texting with friends, attaching photos is as simple as dragging an image from one window to another. Thanks to a newly introduced feature, users also have the option to utilize a single app in multiple windows. This means that you can load an article in a browser in one window, and search for more info on the subject of the article in another. You can also save your split screen configurations to the Multi-Window tray as an App Pair, so you won’t need to go through the hassle of setting up separate windows each time you’d like to launch your apps.

In these uncertain times, more individuals are learning to accept change and broaden their horizons. The Galaxy Z Fold2 is the embodiment of this kind of progression, designed for those who are constantly defying limitations, seeking out new experiences, and boldly facing the challenges of tomorrow.

The Freedom of Flexibility

The Galaxy Z Fold2 adds a bold new chapter to a category that Samsung pioneered with the launch of the original Galaxy Fold. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold2 was designed with an emphasis on flexibility and versatility. It adjusts its form to suit the task at hand, perfectly complementing the many roles that users juggle throughout their daily lives.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 can be used at a variety of angles to suit users’ needs – opened wide, opened just enough for comfort, or even standing upright in a folded position. The available Aramid Standing Cover takes this convenience a step further by enabling you to prop up your Galaxy Z Fold2 like a picture frame, in addition to allowing you to use your device at any angle you desire. When taking pictures or recording videos, you can fold the device so the camera meets your eye level and view a preview of your shot using the top part of the screen, which gives you a wider field of vision for a much more comfortable experience.

App compatibility with Flex mode may vary

The key here is the Galaxy Z Fold2’s convenient Flex mode, which automatically splits the Main Screen into two sections, allowing you to comfortably view content on the top half and control it on the bottom. The smartphone can also be held upright when partially folded, freeing your hands to handle other things. That’s the beauty of the Galaxy Z Fold2’s flexible design: it offers complete freedom to multitask. This includes everything from displaying videos while folded to enabling users to execute video calls on one side of their screen while taking notes on the other.

We live in a time in which people wear many different hats, as the saying goes, and identify with various personas. Our behaviors and attitudes can vary depending on whether we’re working, resting or having fun, and we may express ourselves differently in our everyday lives and on social media. The fact that our characters and behaviors are so multifaceted and nuanced underscores the idea that none of us can be easily defined with a single identity. The Galaxy Z Fold2 and its many forms and functions cater to modern users’ many personas, offering the perfect tool for tackling the wide range of tasks that we manage every day.

The Confidence To Be Different

With its simple form, consisting of straight lines, and colors that exemplify modern elegance, the Galaxy Z Fold2 exudes a kind of confident and premium style that captures the attention of everyone around it.

The smartphone comes in a choice of two colors that are sure to strike a chord with all kinds of users. The sensational Mystic Bronze radiates confidence with its alluring and textured haze effect, while Mystic Black features an elegant hue that’s designed to recall the atmosphere of the city.

The Galaxy Z Fold2’s refined form is neat and composed, and characterized by seamless lines coming together to create a whole. Its body and hinge share the same texture and hue, enhancing the device’s unified design – a design that’s not only slim, sturdy and appealing to the eye, but also fits comfortably into your hands for an exceptional tactile experience.

The Tools to Conquer What’s To Come

At the end of the day, our self-worth should not be defined by others, but by ourselves. We all want to stand out from the crowd, but there is a difference between meeting the standards of others and meeting our own. The confidence that comes from knowing who we are and being positive enhances our sense of worth and adds conviction to our every move. Going forward, those who possess a strong sense of identity will be the ones who endure – who navigate evolving trends, and boldly announce their presence.

Just like these individuals, the Galaxy Z Fold2 dares to write its own story and forge its own path. It will do so by offering users as much flexibility as possible, and by enabling them to discover an inner self that’s more confident than yesterday, and possesses the courage to conquer what’s to come.

* The images shown are for illustration purposes only, and may differ from the actual product. Product specifications may vary by country, region, model, and carrier.

Samsung Electronics flipped the smartphone world on its head with the launch of its second foldable device, created to offer users a convenient and versatile foldable experience: the Galaxy Z Flip.

The latest foldable smartphone, has been turning heads around the world at four important dates in the fashion calendar, debuting at New York Fashion Week and continuing on to London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks.

The Galaxy Z Flip has been engineered with a first-of-its-kind foldable glass that features a 17.01 cm (6.7-inch) display that folds into a stylish and compact form factor that fits in the palm of your hand

Not only does the Galaxy Z Flip offer users brand-new ways to interact with their smartphones thanks to its unique folding mechanism, its striking design is quickly establishing the Galaxy Z Flip as a must-have stylish accessory.

It’s sleek silhouette and eye-catching colour swatches, make it a statement piece beyond the definitions of plush.

The Galaxy Z Flip is available for consumers in India at INR 109999.

Click below to buy Galaxy Z Flip smartphone:

https://www.samsung.com/in/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip/buy

Last year, Samsung redefined smartphone design as we know it with the introduction of its first foldable device, the Galaxy Fold. While that category-defining smartphone was created with a focus on the action of unfolding (i.e., “What if you could unfold your phone to experience apps and content on a larger screen?”), the design of the company’s second foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip, focuses on the opposite action: folding your smartphone to make it more compact.

As Tae-joong Kim, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Business, explained, by combining a pocket-friendly form with striking style, “The Galaxy Z lineup introduces a new identity to the foldable mobile category. One that adds a fashionable touch to users’ lives.”

Follow along as we examine how Samsung refined each aspect of the Galaxy Z Flip’s design to offer users a whole new mobile experience.

Color-Coordinated

The Galaxy Z Flip is available in a choice of three stylish colors: the bold and creative Mirror Purple, the luxurious Mirror Black, which features a slight bluish tint, and the elegant and refined Mirror Gold. During the manufacturing process, Samsung combined a smooth glass finish with precise processing, resulting in layers of colors that reflect a range of hues depending on the angle at which the device is folded.

It’s All in the Details

Measuring just 73.6mm across, the Galaxy Z Flip is small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand, and slips easily into a pocket or bag. To make the device as compact and portable as possible, Samsung tested out numerous form factors before ultimately landing on the design you see before you. No detail was overlooked. The design was contemplated down to the micrometer to ensure that it would offer users a comfortable grip.

The finished design also reflects careful consideration of usability, as evidenced by convenient features like the cover display. When the Galaxy Z Flip is closed, the cover display presents users with information such as the date, time, their device’s battery status and more, and when they’re taking a selfie, it allows them to see how they look. When the device is opened, Samsung’s intuitive One UI makes it easy to manage the Galaxy Z Flip’s spacious, 6.7-inch display with one hand.

“Along with size and grip, the user experience was a key focus of design,” Kim explained. “We designed the Galaxy Z Flip to make it easy to: 1) access basic information when the device is folded, and 2) multitask on its large display.”

Unfolding a New User Experience

Through extensive research into how consumers are using their smartphones today, Samsung identified that the ability to fold and utilize a smartphone at various angles would add a new layer of convenience to the user experience. The Galaxy Z Flip was specifically designed to be folded and used at multiple angles, which makes everything from taking pictures and video calling, to viewing media more comfortable and convenient.

Realizing that functionality would require a hinge that was both durable and exquisite, like a cogwheel. Through exhaustive research on hinge designs, as well as close cooperation among hardware departments, Samsung eventually came up with a blueprint for a hinge that would be capable of standing a foldable device up at any angle. The Galaxy Z Flip’s intricate Hideaway Hinge is the product of these efforts. It allows users to utilize their device at various angles, and enables the smartphone to stand completely on its own. It’s also sturdy enough to ensure that the device will not open or close by itself.

Samsung anticipates that the Galaxy Z Flip’s ability to stand on its own will change the smartphone experience. “Both the market and consumer lifestyles are constantly diversifying,” said Kim. “To address consumers’ needs, we will continue exploring ways to enrich the Galaxy Z lineup and the foldable mobile category with meaningful and enjoyable experiences.”