Apple's iPhone Duo leaves Samsung foldables in the dust — and that's a big problem (literally)

Foldable phones have been around for years, but today the device class is experiencing its arguably highest-profile launch yet, as Apple finally embraces foldables with the iPhone Duo. And even with its inaugural effort, Apple is already hitting the ground running with some hardware that outclasses some of its fiercest Android competition.

Over the generations we’ve already seen, manufacturers have been making foldable phones more and more robust — what were once incredibly finnicky, fragile designs, have reached something approaching the reliability we’re used to from regular, non-foldable models. But there’s been at least one area where they’ve lagged behind: resistance to dirt and water.

While many normal phones offer an IP68 rating or better, that’s proven to be a big ask from foldables. Last year’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold was the first model we saw with a full IP68 rating, meaning that the phone should be protected against dust getting in, as well as able to survive immersion in 3 meters or more of water.

Apple’s iPhone Duo carries that same IP68 certification, and the manufacturer specifically notes that the foldable should withstand dunks up to 6 meters deep for as long as 30 minutes.

Great for Apple, but a problem for Samsung

This puts Apple in a great spot to compete in what’s admittedly an already crowded market, but potentially at the expense of one of the biggest names in foldables: Samsung. While Samsung was admittedly an early leader in attempts to make foldables more robust, launching its Fold 6 and Flip 6 models back in 2024 with IP48 ratings, the company hasn’t made progress with dust protection since, and even the newest Fold 8 and Flip 8 phones are still stuck on IP48. That means those Galaxy models will keep out stuff larger than 1mm, but can’t fully block smaller particles.

Apple and Google aren’t alone in beating Samsung to the punch on this kind of protection. HONOR’s Magic V6 advertises an IP68/IP69 rating, with the latter stepping up water protection to include powerful liquid jets. Even OPPO’s managing to outdo Samsung with the IP58/IP59 rating on its Find N6.

With traditional phones, water may have been the big enemy, but the moving parts of foldables — and especially their elaborate hinge construction — have cast dust protection back into the spotlight. Those concerns become even more pronounced when we’re talking about any sort of abrasive material, and the risk it may pose when sandwiched between sides of the folded-shut screen.

Samsung’s at least in a good position by having one of its new launches — the Galaxy Z Fold 8 — match the iPhone Duo’s wide design, which is quickly become the most desirable shape for foldables. But with all its competition now moving past it with phones that place dust resistance as a priority just as high as water resistance, Samsung seriously needs to reconsider its design goals for next year’s foldable lineup.