iFixit has again posted a new teardown of Samsung's updated Galaxy Fold almost six months after the company pressured the site to take down its original assessment of the folding device. While the reinforcements to the Fold have already been announced, the new teardown gives us a more detailed look at its internal changes.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is the added layer of metal to make the display more robust. According to iFixit, the extra layer is "like chainmail armor" placed between the backing plates and the screen. This addition should make the display more reinforced, even when it's separated from the chassis.
Another significant improvement to the Galaxy Fold is the presence of tape in the phone's hinges to prevent debris from getting in. The back of the display also has a sticky strip so it won't come off easily.
Looking at the exterior of the Galaxy Fold, the improvements Samsung did are pretty noticeable as well. For example, the spaces at the top and bottom of the screen's fold now have plastic protectors combined with a flexible gasket.
Samsung's "Advanced Polymer Protective Layer" now nearly reaches the screen's edge for ample coverage, and so you will be less tempted to tear it off your phone.
The updated Galaxy Fold is far from perfect, but it appears Samsung followed iFixit's suggestions in its previous teardown.
"It looks like Samsung quietly made all the durability quick-fixes we suggested in our original Fold teardown," iFixit noted. "They closed some gaps, reinforced the folding display, and hid the edges of that screen protection layer that everyone found so catastrophically tempting to peel off."
Despite the improvements, iFixit still things the Galaxy Fold is "alarmingly fragile," and we're not sure if the device can withstand long-term usage. The group did mention they are worried about the phone's longevity, noting that the Fold is easier to tear down compared to other Samsung devices.
CNET performed a test last week but the Fold disappointingly fell short of Samsung's claim that it can last 200,000 folds before breaking. While iFixit commended the South Korean company's efforts for reinforcing the device, the group questioned why Samsung failed to do so in its first try.
Repairing the device is definitely not a DIY thing. The updated Galaxy Fold has a 2 rating on a scale of repairability, with 10 being the easiest to fix.
Watch iFixit's new teardown here.
