Phone Testing Machine. Can It Beat the Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Key Points:

• Apple launched its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, which quickly sold out amid strong consumer interest and long lines at Apple Stores.
• CNET has developed a proprietary testing machine called the Fold-a-Phone to rigorously assess the durability of foldable phones, including the iPhone Duo and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, by simulating natural opening and closing motions.
• The Fold-a-Phone tests the hinge and screen longevity at a realistic pace, completing a fold cycle every 4 seconds, and as of Saturday afternoon, the iPhone Duo had surpassed 20,000 folds in testing.
• Apple has not disclosed the expected fold lifespan of the iPhone Duo, so CNET’s testing aims to provide valuable data on the device’s durability compared to other foldables rated between 200,000 to 500,000 folds.
• The arrival of Apple in the foldable phone market is seen as legitimizing the category and potentially accelerating innovation, with CNET continuing to monitor and report on the performance of foldable devices through ongoing testing.