When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip, it wanted people to know that the foldable screen was glass, not plastic. In later interviews, company officials spoke more about the ultra-thin glass screen. A few days later, the popular YouTuber Zach Nelson of JerryRigEverything fame exposed the intricacies of Samsung’s claims in a Galaxy Z Flip durability test.
Samsung previously presented the Galaxy Z Flip as the first phone with a foldable glass screen. The Samsung website also describes the Galaxy Z Flip like this:
“Discover the very first foldable glass screen on a Galaxy. Yes, we said folding glass. Made of ultra-thin Samsung glass, it offers you an epic view with a flat and smooth screen. “
After all this, you would think that the screen would be more durable than plastic. In fact, this is one of the many reasons why reviewers consider the Galaxy Z Flip to be better than the Moto RAZR. The latter clearly states that it uses a plastic screen while Samsung is a glass screen. But when Zach starts testing the durability of the Galaxy Z Flip, the screen gets scratched at Mohs level 2.
Galaxy Z Flip durability test
If you’re wondering what that means, it’s the same level at which a plastic screen is scratched. The UTG (ultra-thin glass) screen of the Galaxy Z Flip is therefore about as durable as plastic when it comes to scratches. While no one expected this screen to be as durable as that of the Galaxy S20, since it was glass, people expected a little more. This is what Samsung said The edge:
“The Galaxy Z Flip includes an Infinity Flex screen with Samsung’s ultra thin glass (UTG) to offer an elegant and premium look and offer an immersive viewing experience… Samsung’s first UTG technology is different from other flagship Galaxy devices. Although the screen folds, it should be handled with care. Additionally, Galaxy Z Flip has a protective layer on top of the UTG similar to Galaxy Fold. “
It turns out that the Galaxy Z Flip has a “protective” layer on the screen similar to that of the Galaxy Fold. And this protective layer is plastic. This explains why it would be scratched as easily as plastic. Later in the Galaxy Z Flip’s JerryRigEverything durability test, the screen also later takes a nail off. Those of you with long nails may want to be careful if you decide to buy the device.
If you manage to damage the screen, Samsung offers screen replacements at $ 119. The company also offers a free replacement of the aforementioned protective layer. The YouTuber says that “it is dangerous to let people walk around with this false sense of security”. It’s totally, don’t you agree?