Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 tipped to beat Oppo Find N5 to crown of world's toughest foldable smartphone

The design of the Galaxy Z Fold7 is now known, even if certain quarters disagree with the device's alleged display sizes. Until recently, the Galaxy Z Fold7 had been assumed to leverage the body of the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which is only officially available in China and South Korea.

However, subsequent leaks have indicated that the Galaxy Z Fold7 will be thinner and larger than not just the Galaxy Z Fold6, but also the Special Edition. In other words, this year's Galaxy Z Fold may share less hardware with any of last year's models than previously expected.

PandaFlashPro has now reiterated this underlying point by claiming that Samsung intends to make the Galaxy Z Fold7 the world's 'toughest smartphone foldable'. Unfortunately, it is unclear by what measure Samsung will define this. For example, the Oppo Find N5 is IPX9 water resistant, which surpasses the Galaxy Z Fold6 (curr. $1,549 on Amazon).

Conversely, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is officially dust-resistant to IP4. Meanwhile, IPX means that Oppo did not test the Find N5 for dust resistance. According to PandaFlashPro, this improved longevity will be achieved via upgraded micro brushes, which serve to minimise the chances of foreign particles entering the Galaxy Z Fold's hinge structure.

Reportedly, the latter will also receive an upgrade for the Galaxy Z Fold7. Although PandaFlashPro has not elaborated in this regard, we suspect a new hinge will further reduce crease visibility beyond its current state in the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. Currently, Samsung is believed to be lining up the release of the Galaxy Z Fold7 for this summer alongside at least the Galaxy Z Flip7.