Samsung

Allstate tortures a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

The Insurance giant Allstate does more than just protect your home and auto, they also sell phone protection plans on the side and as part of that they determine rates by destroying certain phones. Today’s challenger was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3. Watch the video below if you want to see unspeakable horror (drop test, dunk test, open and closed.)

I was told there would be a 200,000 fold test with the Foldbot being released this week but that appears to have not come out with this video. Perhaps because 200,000 folds, which is what they are attempting, takes some time. You can see them folding the original Galaxy Fold (not this one) and damaging it by the low 50k range here.

All this is of course to sell you on a protection plan, although with the results of the drop test you might feel a bit more confident without one. (Paul doesn’t recommend protection plans generally, but also doesn’t buy $1800 phones.)

The Z Flip 3 (not tested here,) will be being put through the tests this week and we’ll post the video whenever it makes it this way.

Original press release follows:


Last week, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 hit stores boasting a more robust design thanks to an Armor Aluminum frame, IPX8 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus, and a main screen with an added panel layer and new protective film. In a series of Breakability tests, Allstate Protection Plans has found the Galaxy Z Fold3 more than lives up to its durability claims and has become the first smartphone to include a screen that did not shatter after being subject to the infamous DropBot.   

In a boost to the foldable form factor, The Z Fold3 is one of the most durable devices Allstate Protection Plans has ever tested. The full Breakability test video can be viewed here and reveals:   

  • Open Face-Down Drop Test: When dropped six feet onto a sidewalk, the Galaxy Z Fold3 interior screen survived two falls with only minor frame/corner scuffing and minor pixel damage. It’s the first smartphone screen in eight years not to shatter during such a test.   
  • Closed Face-Down Drop Test: When dropped six feet onto a sidewalk, the Galaxy Z Fold3 exterior screen shattered on the first fall. The impact also caused raised and loose glass, making it unusable. 
  • Dunk Test: After being submerged in five feet of water for 30 minutes, the Galaxy Z Fold3 had no damage whatsoever.  

Introduced in 2013, Allstate Protection Plans Breakability Tests (formerly SquareTrade Breakability Tests) give consumers an independent assessment of devices’ durability and how they live up to the rigors of daily life. They consider the device’s physical characteristics, such as size, components, and materials that affect its repairability and performance in standardized robotic tests that simulate the most common causes of device damage.  

“Samsung has made significant strides in the durability of foldable phones since it first introduced the Galaxy Fold in 2019.  The Galaxy Z Fold3 is one of the toughest, most durable phones we’ve ever tested, and its interior screen is the first not to crack or shatter in our drop test,” said Jason Siciliano, Allstate Protection Plan vice president of marketing and creative director. “But while tough, it’s not indestructible. And with a purchase price of $1,799, main screen repair cost of $479, and exterior screen repair cost of $149, it still needs to be handled with care.”  

No matter the make or model of smartphone, Allstate Protection Plans always recommends using screen protectors and phone cases, in addition to having a protection plan.   

Pocketables does not accept targeted advertising, phony guest posts, paid reviews, etc. Help us keep this way with support on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Paul E King

Paul King started with GoodAndEVO in 2011, which merged with Pocketables, and as of 2018 he's evidently the owner. He lives in Nashville, works at a film production company, is married with two kids. Facebook | Twitter | Donate | More posts by Paul | Subscribe to Paul's posts

Avatar of Paul E King