Galaxy Z Fold8 does not impress in teardown

Earlier this week we saw the Galaxy Z Fold8 go through JerryRigEverything’s torture durability test where it survived some hard bends and close encounters with blades and sand. And the team over at iFixit has now brought its teardown expertise to Samsung’s trendy bendy phone. Here’s the full video:

The Z Fold8 earned a 4/10 repairability score. That’s not impressive by regular smartphone standards, but it is a point higher than last year’s Z Fold7 repairability score. If you don’t feel like watching the whole thing, here are the key takeaways.

The folding screen is still a nightmare to replace. The iFixit host got the plastic bezels on his unit’s panel chipped, which ultimately obliterated the OLED layer, rendering the whole unit useless. The IP48 rating does not hold up well against dust, and that ultimately enters the hinge, exposing key internals.

Z Fold8's hinge exposed to dust and debris

There are some positives, though. Samsung used standard Phillips screws throughout the Fold8. The back plate is easy to pry out, the USB-C port is modular and not soldered on, which makes it easy to replace. The batteries feature pull tabs, which should translate to easier removal, though they are also easy to bend.