Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 teardown reveals significant internal differences compared to its predecessor
JerryRigEverything has now disassembled the Galaxy Z Fold4, having put the device through a durability test last week. While Samsung's latest foldable smartphone survived the YouTuber's durability test, JerryRigEverything destroyed most of his Galaxy Z Fold4 while attempting to disassemble it. As the video below shows, Samsung makes it improbable to remove either of the device's displays without specialist tools.
Incidentally, the flexible AMOLED display appears to be more fragile than the equivalent in the Galaxy Z Fold3. Specifically, Samsung has removed the large metal plate that reinforced the latter's display. In its place is a plastic equivalent, which should still protect the foldable display while saving a few grams from the device's overall weight.
Additionally, JerryRigEverything has shown the difference in pixel density between the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Fold4's Under-Display Cameras (UDC). Although the underlying 4 MP camera remains, the Galaxy Z Fold4 does a much job at hiding the sensor than its predecessor does. Unfortunately, Samsung continues to glue its batteries in place, unlike many other Android OEMs. As a result, it could prove a tricky task to remove either battery, especially if you need to replace the one beneath the device's cover display.
Separately, JerryRigEverything highlights that Samsung has overhauled its hinge mechanism between the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Fold4. For context, Samsung used many gears to allow the Galaxy Z Fold3 to open and close. This time, Samsung has resorted to three small hinges with interlocking metal elements. Hence, the Galaxy Z Fold4 has several areas where metal rubs directly on metal, albeit with lubrication between these parts. Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold4 remains improbable to repair, but it should withstand almost all the abuses people could throw at it.
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