Updated

Updated · Android Central · Aug 12

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Ultra Carry IP48 Rating, Surviving 1.5 Meters for 30 Minutes

Updated

Updated · Android Central · Aug 12

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, Ultra Carry IP48 Rating, Surviving 1.5 Meters for 30 Minutes

Q: What hidden everyday danger in your pocket could easily destroy the new Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Fine sand or dust in your pocket is the hidden everyday danger most likely to damage the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The reason is the phone’s IP48 rating. While the “8” means it can survive brief freshwater submersion, the “4” means it is only protected against solid particles larger than 1mm. Many common particles people carry around every day — sand, lint, grit, flour-like dust, pollen and other fine debris — are smaller than that and can work their way into the foldable hinge and ports. That is a bigger risk on a foldable than on a typical IP68 slab phone because the hinge is a moving mechanical part. Reporting and repair experience around earlier Fold models show that fine debris can cause grinding, stiffness, “crunching” sounds, incomplete opening, and in worse cases damage that spreads to the inner display. Beach sand is the clearest example, but pocket lint and dusty environments can also be a problem over time. Samsung’s water resistance also is not permanent. The company says protection is strongest when the phone leaves the factory and can weaken with wear, damage or improper handling. In practical terms, the Z Fold 8 should be treated carefully around sandy pockets, dusty bags, beaches, worksites and other grit-heavy environments. Water is not the only threat; for this phone, tiny particles can be just as dangerous.

3 articles · Updated · Android Central · Aug 12

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are confirmed as water-resistant rather than waterproof, with IP48 certification covering freshwater submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
The “8” in IP48 gives them the top submersion grade under the IP standard, but the “4” means they are not fully dustproof and only block particles larger than 1 mm.
Samsung also says that protection does not extend to high-pressure or high-temperature water jets, and performance can vary in salt water or chlorinated pools.
Factory-rated water resistance degrades over time as seals wear, meaning the IP48 protection applies when the phones leave the factory, not as a permanent condition.