Common mistakes to avoid when using foldable phones
Experts warn that careless handling — like closing a foldable phone over keys or coins — remains the biggest risk to its delicate inner screen. Proper care habits can meaningfully extend a foldable's lifespan.
Foldable phone owners need to pay closer attention to small details than regular smartphone users, since the delicate inner screen is especially vulnerable to damage. The most common cause of harm is closing the phone over an object left on the display, such as a coin, key or card, which can scratch or even puncture the screen.
Samsung's foldable care guidance notes that this risk extends to people working in dusty or sandy environments, since fine particles like beach sand can find their way into almost anything.
Not all models are equally tough
Durability ratings also vary between models. The Galaxy Z Fold8 and Fold8 Ultra carry an IP48 rating, while the newer iPhone Duo is rated IP68. The first digit in these ratings reflects protection against solid particles — a 4 means objects larger than 1mm can't get in, while a 6 means the device is fully dust-tight.
Handling the inner screen
The inner display is more delicate than a standard phone's outer glass, so it shouldn't be pressed on as firmly — including habits like scraping a mark off with a fingernail. Another common mistake is peeling off the factory-applied protective film, often mistaken for ordinary shipping packaging; Samsung recommends leaving it in place. Users are also advised against applying unapproved screen protectors or using a stylus not specifically listed as compatible with their model.
How long do foldables actually last?
There's no fixed lifespan for foldable phones, but manufacturers test hinges and screens through 200,000 to 500,000 fold cycles, which would translate to roughly 5 to 10 years at 100 opens per day. These figures function more as general benchmarks than guarantees — Samsung's earlier claims for the original Galaxy Fold didn't hold up in real-world use. Checking for debris before closing the phone is more useful than tracking fold counts. Cleaning the screen with a soft cloth rather than fingernails is also recommended, since wear accelerates faster in devices with moving parts.
