Google could force foldable phones to be tougher in order to use Android

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200,000 folds a minimum requirement

Google Pixel Fold versus Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 comparison face off.
(Image credit: Future)

Google looks set to add minimum hardware standard requirements to its foldable Android licenses if rumors are to be believed.

According to Android expert Mishaal Rahman, Google will soon institute hardware and software requirements for foldable devices on Android. Manufacturers will need to complete a questionnaire and provide samples to ensure phones meet certain standards.

Rahman revealed the news to his Patreon following that the key requirements will be that phones must withstand at least 200,000 folds, equal to at least 5 years of use for most people. 

Google Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 5 on a marble bench

(Image credit: Future)

On top of the hardware requirements, Google may also introduce a minimum length of time for software and security support. According to Rahman, foldable Android devices much support two operating software updates and 3 years of security patches, which is slightly better than non-foldables.

While this is encouraging, prominent foldable devices from Samsung, Google, and Oppo, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Pixel Fold, and Find N2 Flip all come with five years of security patches.

The durability of foldable devices has been under scrutiny since we first experienced the Galaxy Z Fold, but durability has improved since then. Google's own Pixel Fold has come under fire for some screens breaking on reviewers and users, but our review sample has not experienced any issues thus far.

Assuming these requirements are coming, it could provide peace of mind for shoppers. But we would like to see dust resistance added to future foldable phones as well. 

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Elliot Mulley-Goodbarne
Elliot Mulley-Goodbarne
Phones Writer

Elliot MulleyGoodbarne is a Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering news, reviews, buying guides with wit and charm. He has had a keen interest in mobile, tablets, laptops, and everything in between since his first phone, the Samsung U600. Starting at Mobile News, Elliot has been writing about mobile and the business of technology since 2016, and has edited four trade magazines in that time, attending award shows for three of them. He has attended a range of industry events including 5G launches, device announcements, and trade events, where he developed a nose for picking up on trends, interviewing executives, and networking with the tech community. In his spare time, Elliot can usually be found watching, playing, or attending sporting events. With season tickets to West Ham United and Surrey County Cricket Club he often spends weekends in winter in a foul mood and evenings in the summer with a smile on his face. Outside of sport Elliot enjoys cooking, pubs next to rivers, and chilling out with a G&T, Whiskey, or Port after a solid week of excellence.