Here’s A Peek At Samsung’s Relentless Robotic Foldable Smartphone Testing

by · Forbes
Foldable testing.Credit: Samsung

Most smartphone enthusiasts are probably well aware that Samsung officially launched its new batch of foldable technology today, including the phablet Fold4 and retro-inspired Flip4.

We’re probably all a bit less aware of what exactly goes into rigorously testing a foldable micro-computer before it gets shipped off to eager buyers. Yesterday via YouTube, Samsung peeled back the curtain on what can only be described as the mad scientist robot army that’s responsible for making sure every manufactured mobile device leaves the factory with every rating box ticked.

The beginning breakfast scene of Tim Burton’s Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure comes to mind:

It starts with back covers going on, then leads to functional testing that makes sure things like the S Pen and proximity sensors work. Further along, it’s on to the likes of network, camera, wireless charging and flex testing. After that, it’s off to the folding table, where numerous robotic arms fold and unfold the phones countless times, and it’s rather amusing to watch. I suppose they’re trying to get close to Samsung’s purported 200,000 fold limit.

This is followed by tiny robot fingers pushing all the inputs, over and over. The video ends with IPX8 water resistance being thoroughly tested, wherein Fold4s and Flip4s get sprayed and dunked like they’re at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Or better yet, Disney’s Test Track ride in EPCOT. It’s all quite entertaining.

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Good on Samsung for going to such lengths to test these devices, and they should, especially given the astronomical price of the Fold4. Seeing as it’s launch day, it’s too early to tell how these phones will hold up to actual, in-real-life daily use.

So far, the hinges on my review units feel pretty sturdy, but we’ll need to give it a few months of unapologetic daily driving to observe true results. Now I need to see inside the PlayStation factory so I can watch machines assemble DualSense controllers.