According to a new piece of information that surfaced, Google could actually implement hardware requirements for foldables. This would apply to future foldable smartphones, of course.
Google could draw the line and implement hardware requirements for upcoming foldables
This information comes from Mishaal Rahman, as he reveals that Google wants to get some assurances for the longevity of future foldable smartphones. Those devices would be expected to last at least 200,000 fold and unfold cycles. If you open your phone 50 times a day, that means it would take you 10 years to complete 200,000 cycles.
Google would also have a requirement regarding the hinge. It would require that any device with a “torque hinge” to maintain at least 80% of its original torque after 200,000 cycles.
Last, but not least, Google could also require OEMs to offer at least two major OS updates, and three years of security updates for its foldables. A number of Android smartphone OEMs go above and beyond that, so that shouldn’t be an issue.
These are actually great news for consumers. Google wants to guarantee a certain quality standard when it comes to foldables, and has the power to do so, thanks to the software it provides for smartphone OEMs.
The Motorola Razr+ didn’t do all that well in a recent folding test
As some of you may recall, the Motorola Razr+ aka Razr 40 Ultra broke after 126,266 folds recently, despite the fact Motorola said it could handle 400,000 cycles. That is under the standard, for example, though it could be just a coincidence this happened. It’s also worth noting that it happened after 126,266 constant fold and unfold cycles, one after the other. That’s just the thing, though, Google’s requirement would be for a phone to be able to handle that.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 had some torque issues during a recent folding test. It did great in that test, but it lost its ability to hold half-closed angles after 223,000 folds. Google would require a certain standard regarding that too. It would probably draw the line at 200,000 folds, the same as for general folds.
We’ll see what happens moving forward, as Google did not confirm any of this. It’s just a rumor at the moment.