When it comes to innovative designs, the concept of a foldable phone screen is one of the most significant leaps forward since the adoption of the waterfall display. With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 set to arrive in mid-2021, and both Huawei and Motorola also releasing their own foldable smartphone designs, it’s only a matter of time before foldable screens become the norm.
Although foldable phones may look cool and certainly attract the attention of those nearby, they do come with their own set of challenges. The most notable is preserving their delicate OLED displays. Let's take a look at some ways to keep your foldable phone screen in good standing for as long as possible.
How Do Foldable Phones Fold?
You don’t need to be a tech expert to know that phones aren’t exactly renowned for their flexibility. So how exactly do foldable phone screens not crack when you manipulate them?
The answer is a combination of an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display and a polymer screen. Unlike LCD displays, an OLED display doesn’t require a backlight and so manufacturers aren’t limited to creating flat displays anymore. This, combined with a flexible polymer screen, opens up a world of foldable possibilities for smartphone manufacturers.
Although the concept of a folding screen is one of the hardest pieces of this puzzle to get your head around, manufacturers also had to revolutionize many other aspects of their phone designs to bring foldable phones to life. Traditional aluminum and plastic phone cases don’t bend, and lithium-ion batteries can explode or catch fire when flexed.
To get around these issues, most of the current foldable phones have a hinged design to ensure that each fold and unfold is smooth and controlled. The phone is carefully crafted to ensure that parts that shouldn't bend don't bend.
How to Care for Your Android Foldable Phone
If you’re ready to embrace the foldable phone trend, you’ll need to learn how to care for your delicate folding screen. You can't just put foldable phones in any old case and throw a basic screen protector on; they require a little bit of extra TLC.
Here are tips to keep your foldable phone performing at its best.
1. Do Not Attach an Adhesive Screen Protector
Phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold come with their own specially designed screen protector preinstalled onto the phone’s screen. This screen protector is designed to withstand the regular folding and unfolding of the phone and protect the delicate screen from scratches and debris.
Samsung doesn’t recommend that users remove this protector. The company warns customers that adding any additional screen protection could alter their screen performance.
2. Never Fold the Device Backwards
Most foldable smartphones have a complex hinge system to keep them opening and closing smoothly. These hinges should never be bent backward, as this could stress the delicate screen and cause the casing or hinges to crack.
Always close your foldable phone completely before storing it in your bag or pocket. This will prevent it from accidentally bending the wrong way.
3. Keep Your Phone Away From Magnets
Samsung’s foldable phones contain a strong magnet. This gives the phone a satisfying click when you close it and prevents the phone from accidentally opening inside your bag. Unfortunately, these magnets are also strong enough to attract nearby magnetic objects and can also damage or disable items such as SD cards, credit cards, and access keys.
To prevent this from happening, stow your phone away from your wallet and be mindful of its magnetic powers.
4. Be Gentle With Your Screen
Even with their built-in screen protectors, foldable phone screens are far more delicate than conventional glass screens. As such, you need to treat them gently. If you’re using a stylus on your foldable phone, apply pressure lightly. When at all possible, avoid using any other items such as pens, pencils, or sharp fingernails on your phone screen and remember to always keep a light touch.
Even tiny pieces of debris, such as sand or dust, can cause scratches and damage to your OLED screen. Before closing your phone, always check to make sure that there are no obstructions between the screens or in the hinges. Items such as coins, dust, and grit can damage your screen or prevent your phone’s hinge from closing properly.
If your phone does not effortlessly click shut, then don’t force it. Check for obstruction before slamming it down on something damaging.
5. Keep Your Phone Away From Liquids
At present, there’s yet to be a foldable phone that is waterproof or water-resistant, making it essential to keep your device away from liquid. This means keeping your phone out of the rain and not exposing it to liquid in any form, even while cleaning it.
If your foldable phone becomes dusty or dirty, then clean it gently using a soft, dry cloth.
Where Are Foldable Phones at Right Now?
At present, foldable phones fall into two broad categories. Phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Royole FlexPai 2 both fit in the palm of your hand like a conventional smartphone, but fold out to reveal a tablet-size screen.
Meanwhile, devices like the Motorola RAZR 4 fold in the other direction, opening like a traditional flip phone to reveal a full-size smartphone screen. We’re definitely at the beginning of this new groundbreaking technology, and it’s exciting to think about what manufacturers will do with it next. For instance, we've seen reports about what a folding screen from Apple could look like.
Could we see smartwatches with screens that wrap around our wrists? Or perhaps we’re on the edge of a four-way foldable model? We'll have to wait and see.
Keep Your Foldable Phone in Optimal Condition
To keep your Android foldable phone working at its best, remember to treat it with the respect and care it deserves. As foldable phones start to become more mainstream, we expect to see more robust models emerging. But for now, foldable screen technology is still in its infancy and must be treated gently.
Remember, care guidance may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always read the manual carefully and take note of any specific care instructions.