Samsung is ignoring a hardware flaw with their foldable devices and I’m sick of it

However, I do have one problem with these new foldable phones. Samsung sticks with one IP48 rating one more time and I’m completely sick of it.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 foldable devices debuted an IP48 rating in 2024, which was considered pretty good for the time. Google and HONOR’s previous foldable Galaxy devices and rival devices had an IPX8 rating, meaning they were waterproof but not dustproof.

However, the IP48 rating doesn’t actually mean that the phone can withstand dust. All this means is that it protects against objects 1 mm or larger in size – and dust is much smaller than that. Basically, Samsung says the phones are protected from bits of wire and small pebbles.

In other words, your new $1,200 or $2,100 foldable Galaxy device isn’t rated for protection from lint-filled pockets, beach sand, or even a particularly dusty desk. Now, I should point out that Samsung’s previous hinge designs allowed some debris to be ejected from these devices, but you know what would be more convenient? Proper dust protection. After all, even budget android phones has better dust resistance.

The sad thing is that almost all major foldable phones now offer superior IP ratings to Samsung’s latest foldable phone. The HONOR Magic V5 and vivo X Fold 5 were launched last year with IP58 ratings, meaning they are protected but not completely sealed from dust. Meanwhile, Pixel 10 Pro Fold was the first foldable phone to feature an impressive IP68 rating, meaning it’s truly sealed against dust ingress.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP rating came with a thicker design, but the 2026 shows that a full-fledged IP68 rating doesn’t have to come at the expense of a slim form factor. HONOR’s Magic V6 was released earlier this year and carries IP68 and IP69 ratings. Additionally, it measures approximately 9mm thick when folded.

Other brands are still making foldable phones with a perfectly acceptable IP58 rating in 2026. This includes OPPO Find N6, vivo X Fold 6 and HUAWEI Pura X Max. And those phones still offer slimmer designs, bigger batteries, and better cameras than Samsung’s newer devices.

In fact, Samsung and Motorola are exceptions this year because the new Galaxy is foldable and Razr 2026 phones whole package IP48 ratings. So if US buyers want a foldable phone with certified dust resistance, they’re stuck with Google.

I assume that real stability will not be a problem for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra. But I can’t really see myself buying a phone for ~$2000 unless it has some kind of dust cover as I don’t want a “crunchy” hinge or worse.

People are tired of making foldable babies, and most other smartphone brands have caught on. Time for Samsung to line up.