By utilizing what it calls the “waterdrop hinge,” Xiaomi was able to make the Mix Fold 2 thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. The hinge also helps reduce the prominence of the crease. Samsung tested a similar hinge design, but it had a good reason to not use it.
Water resistant is more important for Samsung
Samsung was the first to bring water resistant foldable smartphones to the market. Last year's Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 happen to be the world's first water resistant foldable smartphones. Naturally, the company wanted to retain that level of durability for the 2022 models.
During a conversation with Ross Young, who is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, he pointed out to us that Samsung had been testing multiple hinge designs including one not unlike the waterdrop hinge that Xiaomi is using for the Mix Fold 2. That's despite the obvious benefits that it provides by enabling the device to be thinner and have a less prominent crease.
The only reason why Samsung decided not to change the hinge design to this is because it's not water resistant yet. Samsung prefers all Galaxy devices that cost over $1,000 have water resistant, with tablets being the exception. It couldn't go from introducing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 as the world's first water resistant foldable smartphone in 2021 to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 losing that level of durability just a year later.
This isn't disappointing, rather, it gives us hope for the future. Samsung will continue to test out new hinge designs and when it's able to ensure water resistance, we'll see the new design on a future device. There's no doubt that Galaxy Z Fold models will get thinner in the coming years while still being water resistant.
We've already highlighted why buying Chinese foldables may not be a great idea. This is just one of the examples of how Samsung brilliantly balances both form and function.
