Samsung did something unexpected with its new Galaxy Z lineup in July 2026, unveiling two book-style foldables instead of one. The $2,099.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, while the $1,899.99 Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an entirely new device. The second model, with its passport-style design, was seen as a preemptive measure against Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, which is expected to have a similar design. Additionally, it has become much more popular with buyers than the Ultra. Consumers interested in the non-Ultra model may want to know how durable the smaller Fold 8 model is and how well it can handle physical stress. The good news is that the handset is sturdier than some people might think, with JerryRigEverything’s durability test and teardown videos showing what the foldable can withstand and how it was built.
The passport-style foldable model may not have the “Ultra” tag in its name, but the device features similar manufacturing technologies to its sibling. Samsung has introduced a new Flex Titanium structure for the display, which should improve the durability of the display while allowing the Korean vendor to make thinner devices. The titanium plate “helps strengthen the screen support, absorb pressure and impact, and reduce the visibility of creases over time,” according to Samsung. The structure should also improve the folding and unfolding movement. Zach Nelson, the YouTuber who runs the popular JerryRigEverything channel, was able to confirm the presence of the titanium layer during its disassembly, although he was unable to observe with the naked eye the “micro-patterned holes” Samsung demonstrated at the Unpacked event.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 survived Nelson’s critical bend test, a key milestone in his smartphone durability videos. But the foldable has the same problem as all its predecessors: the interior screen is fragile.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 can survive almost anything
Nelson puts candy bars and foldable phones through his typical durability test. He tries scratching the screen, back panel, and sides to determine what might be damaging them. He applies direct heat to the screen and tries to bend the device. Additionally, its videos featuring foldable devices test the manufacturer’s dust-resistance claims. Nelson gave these treatments to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, concluding that the handset is extremely solid overall. But buyers should pay attention to the foldable screen, which can be easily scratched.
The titanium screen structure cannot prevent scratches. The Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) layer is covered with a plastic protector. The interior screen scratches at level 2 on the Mohs scale, which means nails can also damage the screen, as you can see in the video above. The outer screen features a Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3 shell, which only scratches to Mohs 6 level, similar to typical smartphone screens. The external display will also resist heat better than the foldable panel, but both displays will eventually become damaged.
The durability test also shows how the Galaxy Z Fold 8 handles dust. The phone continues to fold and unfold just as easily after Nelson drops debris on the foldable screen and closes the handset. Speaking of which, the folding mechanism has been tested to withstand 500,000 folds. Nelson calculated that it would take about 10 years to reach this limit in a scenario in which a user checks their phone about 200 times a day and unfolds it about 100 times. Samsung offers seven years of Android and security updates, so the Fold 8 could still be relevant for several years, but that’s assuming the foldable screen survives long enough.
Repairs can be difficult
Nelson was unable to bend the handset’s aluminum frame when the Fold 8 was folded or unfolded. In comparison, Nelson has regularly broken Google’s Pixel Pro Fold models in recent years by folding the unfolded devices. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 survived bending even when Nelson tried to force the handset to fold backwards, in the opposite direction of the folding mechanism. The YouTuber also found that the fingerprint reader continued to work reliably even after being scratched, calling it one of the fastest fingerprint sensors he’s seen on phones.
Nelson’s tests may be unusual, but they indicate that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 won’t be easily damaged, especially if handled with care. Users may consider purchasing a protective case for the frame and a screen protector for the external display. The foldable display comes with a pre-applied protective film that costs $20 to replace, although Samsung offers free replacement for the first year. Replacing the foldable screen costs around $579, according to the YouTuber’s second video (above) which shows a teardown of the handset. Replacement of the cover screen costs $139.
The clip proves that Samsung is using a new layer of titanium to support the flexible screen. Nelson dismantles the screen and exposes the Flex Titanium structure to a flame. The layer develops an oxide pattern similar to heated titanium. The disassembly process reveals how difficult it is to repair the handset. Nelson damages the foldable OLED panel by removing it and eventually breaks it. In other words, screen replacements should be carried out by qualified professionals. That said, the teardown also shows off the internal structure, with Nelson impressed with the layout of the phone’s components. Replacing internal parts can be easy once the screens are safely removed.
