Key Takeaways
1. Smartphone makers are in a fierce competition to produce slimmer and lighter foldable devices, with brands like Samsung, Honor, and Vivo emphasizing these features in their marketing.
2. Recent models like the Galaxy Z Fold6, Magic V3, and X Fold3 Pro are lighter than previous versions, but companies have adjusted weight claims, leading to discrepancies between stated and actual weights.
3. Manufacturers do not include the weight of inner screen protectors in their official weight figures, which can contribute to the differences observed in independent tests.
4. Google’s Pixel Fold is noted for accounting for the weight of the inner screen protector, while other brands, including Samsung, show minor discrepancies in their weight claims.
5. The Galaxy Z Fold7 currently leads in actual weight among foldables, priced at $1,999, while variations in weight exist among other models like the Magic V5 and Find N5.
Smartphone makers have been in a competition to create foldable smartphones that are thinner and lighter for several years now. Companies like Samsung, Honor, and Vivo highlight in their marketing that their latest foldables are the slimmest or lightest in their class, showing just how important these features are to them.
Weight Claims and Reality
All the latest models, including the Galaxy Z Fold, Magic V, and X Fold, are lighter than their predecessors. However, it seems that Samsung, Honor, and Vivo have adjusted their weight figures in the past to make their official claims look better. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is listed at 239 g, but independent tests reveal it actually weighs 244 g, which is 5 g more. The Magic V3, X Fold3 Pro, and the Find N5 also tend to be a bit heavier than what the manufacturers state.
Transparency in Weight Measurements
None of these companies are misleading about the weights of their foldable devices. They simply do not include the weight of the inner screen protectors in their official numbers, similar to what is done with regular smartphones. It’s important to note that all manufacturers of foldables caution users against removing the inner screen protectors, as doing so can lead to damage of the displays.
Interestingly, only Google has considered the weight of the inner screen protector with its Pixel Fold. According to data from Ice Universe, the Galaxy Z Fold7 does not meet Samsung’s stated weight of 215 g, falling short by just 3 g. This is better than the discrepancies seen with the Find N5, Magic V5, or X Fold5.
Comparative Weights
Ice Universe also indicates that the lightest version of the Magic V5 actually weighs 224 g when everything is taken into account. On the other hand, the white models of the Find N5 and X Fold5 are both at 236 g. Notably, the Titanium version of the X Fold5 drops to about 226 g due to using a fiber glass back instead of a full glass one. Nevertheless, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is still leading the pack in terms of actual weight, priced at $1,999 on Amazon, making it the standout in this category of foldable smartphones.
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