Samsung recently unveiled its newest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5.
What exactly is the Waterdrop Hinge found on the latest Samsung foldables?
The Waterdrop Hinge (Flex Hinge) is quite an innovative development in the realm of foldable smartphone design. It gained popularity through the OPPO Find N series.
The Flex Hinge successfully combats the gap issue common with older U-shaped hinges, which could allow dust and debris to infiltrate and damage the internal display. However, the new hinge offers a seamless design that delivers enhanced protection for the device.
What makes Samsung’s Flex Hinge Revolutionary
How does the new Samsung Flex Hinge work
It features a new dual-axis hinge mechanism comprising three parts: – flexible panel – mechanical hinge – display surface
The Waterdrop Hinge design has folding points on both sides of the waterdrop shape. This reduces the tension on the display. This creates compressive stress when the panel is folded, which keeps the display panel from getting damaged.
Simply put, the new hinge works like folding a piece of paper around a pencil. It makes sure the display folds neatly, keeps its shape, and does not put any tension on the screen. This unique method boosts the durability and reliability of foldable devices.
What are the benefits of the Samsung Flex Hinge
Improved Motion: The Flex hinge technology provides a smoother and improved motion compared to previous models in the Z series. Reduced Gap when Closed: The new hinge technology allows the screen to close completely, virtually eliminating the gap between the two halves of the device.
Flex Mode: The Flex mode is designed to function within a standard range of 75 to 115 degrees. Operating the hinge outside of this range may impact its ability to securely hold its angle. Reduced Crease Size: The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 have a new hinge design that may make the crease on their screens appear slightly larger compared to previous models.
A New Standard for Foldable Phones
the technology behind the Waterdrop Hinge isn’t entirely new. It was first seen on the Motorola Razr 2019 and was later used by a number of Chinese companies. In fact, OPPO popularized this hinge through their Find N series foldable and now we can see almost every company launching their foldable with this hinge.