During a rare May heatwave in the UK last weekend, I felt an overwhelming urge to escape the city. A beach trip seemed like the perfect retreat, so I packed my essentials: a towel, hat, sunglasses, plenty of water, snacks, and an excessive amount of sun cream.
However, I overlooked one critical item: my folding phone. Nearly a week later, the repercussions of that oversight are still with me.
Foldables’ glaring vulnerability
Having used top-tier smartphones with excellent dust resistance, I had become complacent about their durability.
Phones with an IP68 rating are entirely dustproof, meaning sand can cover the surface but won’t harm the internal components or affect functionality.
I foolishly thought that by keeping it closed, it’d be just fine.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Previous beach trips confirmed this: a simple wipe with a damp microfibre cloth was enough to restore the phone to its original state.
However, with my Galaxy Z Fold 7, things were different. Its IP48 rating means it can endure freshwater but isn’t protected against small particles like sand, which are smaller than 1mm.
Unfortunately, I didn’t consider this during my beach outing. I treated my Z Fold 7 like any other phone, ignoring the sand accumulating on it.
I foolishly thought that by keeping it closed, it’d be just fine.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Returning home, I opened the Z Fold 7 for the first time that day, only to be met with an unsettling crunching noise. Sand had infiltrated the hinge, necessitating more than a simple cleaning.
Additionally, sand had clogged the USB-C port, requiring extra force to insert the charging cable. Although it still worked, I worried about its future functionality.
An expensive mistake (but a relatively cheap solution)
Although the Z Fold 7 continued to perform well, I knew prompt action was essential to prevent long-term damage from the sand.
I opened the Z Fold 7 for the first time all day, only to hear a horrible crunching sound
Seeking a solution, I consulted Google Gemini, which advised a four-step cleaning process: turning off the device, wiping with a microfibre cloth, disinfecting with 70% isopropyl alcohol, and cleaning ports with a toothbrush. This improved its appearance but didn’t resolve the crackling noise.
Realizing the hinge needed targeted cleaning, I wondered how to access such a concealed component.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Returning to Gemini, it recommended vacuuming the gaps and using compressed air. The vacuuming helped somewhat, but I still hesitated to use the phone normally, so I sought out compressed air.
After visiting two hardware stores and spending £12.99, I finally acquired a can of compressed air. This effectively removed the remaining sand, restoring the phone’s condition.
I love going to the beach, but I’d never take the Z Fold 7 with me ever again
The entire ordeal was a lesson in the cost and stress of such a mistake. While I cherish beach visits, I won’t risk taking the Z Fold 7 there again.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is your only option (for now)
The Galaxy Z Fold 7, with its IP48 rating, is notably susceptible to sand. Most foldable phones do not exceed an IP58 rating, leaving them vulnerable to sand particles that can infiltrate hinges.
However, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold stands out with an IP68 rating, aligning it with non-folding flagship phones.
Luke Baker
This rating promises full dust protection, a significant advancement. Although the hinge might still be a weak point, this model is more reliable for beach outings, especially with a can of compressed air on hand.
When you’re buying a folding phone, which remains a very expensive purchase, you need to be confident that everyday activities won’t damage it
Investing in a folding phone is costly, and ensuring it withstands daily use is essential. For me, that means only considering a beach trip with a phone explicitly rated as dust-proof. At present, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the sole contender.
There’s hope that the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 and new Z Fold Wide might achieve IP68 certification, but current leaks offer little assurance.
