You will eventually let it go. Protecting yourself is essential.
If you have a fancy new foldable phone like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Apple iPhone Duo, perhaps even an older model from Samsung, Motorola, or another brand, you’ll want to protect it. The first accessory you should buy for any phone, foldable or not, is a protective case. But they’re especially important for foldable phones, which tend to be more delicate due to hinge design and often have a lower dust-resistance rating. But you may be wondering what a foldable phone case actually protects, especially since foldable phones require space and pivot points that regular phones don’t have.
It’s harder for manufacturers to make cases that provide enough protection for foldable phones without hampering performance, let alone ruining the device’s sleek appearance. Given the high price of these phones, it’s even more crucial to protect your investment. Fortunately, while many cases remain under development, they are improving and there are case options that do a good job while also looking pretty.
What these cases protect
Foldable phone cases usually cover the back and sides, up to the front perimeter to prevent breakage, bumps, scratches and scrapes. Since foldables are like two phones in one joined at a hinge, these cases are usually made of two parts. One covers the back and sides, including the charging port and camera island, with a slightly raised edge to protect the camera lenses from direct impacts. The other covers the front and the screen with a raised lip around the perimeter.
These cases are more like covers, so they offer some protection but not full 360 degree coverage and do not protect the hinge. Samsung’s Carbon Standing case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 focuses on the inclusion of an anti-glare film and a built-in kickstand, seemingly designed for convenience first and protection second. However, there are models from brands like Casetify that focus on durability, like the upcoming Casetify iPhone Duo case, which claims to include technology that disperses energy from drops and specialized Duo-Lock hinge protection. The company already offers a line of Galaxy Z Fold 8 cases with similar hinge protection, but that adds weight as a tradeoff. Additionally, some basic cases leave the cover screen unprotected. You can find a kit that includes a screen protector or purchase one separately for additional outer screen protection.
More specialized rugged cases from brands like CaseBorne, Supcase, and Otterbox also add hinge protection, connecting the front and back into one and providing all-around protection, with a screen protector as well. The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, for example, has a built-in tempered glass screen protector and hinge protection that doubles as an S Pen holder. But they are quite bulky.
What they don’t protect
The main problem with even the best foldable phones is dust, which can get trapped inside. When you close the phone at the hinge, like with a laptop, dust on the screen can get stuck in the hinge mechanism. Even microscopic particles you can’t see can damage the screen or even crack it. This is why many foldable phones have a lower dust resistance rating than traditional bar phones, although this is starting to change.
The iPhone Duo and Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold are impressive in this regard, with an IP68 rating – higher than what you’ll find in older foldables. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 only meets an IP48 rating, which means fine dust particles can damage the screen and hinge. The Motorola Razr Fold meets an IP49 rating, which indicates the same thing (the first number of the rating indicates the level of protection against solid foreign objects of 1 mm or more). Unfortunately, no foldable phone case offers protection against dust trapped in the folded screen or hinge.
Your best bet is to both protect your foldable phone with a case and give it a quick wipe before closing it every time. Use a soft brush to occasionally wipe away dust particles from the exterior of the hinge. This requires more care than with a traditional smartphone. But keeping dust out is important, even with a great case and a more durable foldable phone.
