Latest news with #IceUniverse
Android Authority
12 hours ago
- Android Authority
Foldable phones are thin and light in 2025, so why are these brands bending the truth?
Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR A Twitter user has shown that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thinner than the HONOR Magic V5. It turns out both HONOR and OPPO measure their foldables without the protective inner screen film. A closer look at product pages also reveals that some brands don't include these layers when weighing their foldables. HONOR launched the Magic V5 in China earlier this month, and the company claimed that the white version was the world's thinnest foldable phone at 8.8mm. However, recent events have brought this claim into question. Veteran leaker Ice Universe made a series of Twitter posts comparing the HONOR Magic V5 to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. The posts strongly suggest that the Samsung foldable is marginally thinner than the supposed world's thinnest foldable. Ice Universe used a paper card, a ball, and a measuring tool to reveal that the Galaxy phone is apparently slimmer. I switched the positions of two mobile phones during the test, and the results remained the same, which showed that the factors of… There is no accurate measuring tool, but we can still draw a rigorous conclusion: Galaxy Z Fold7 is the thinnest folding mobile phone in the world.I switched the positions of two mobile phones during the test, and the results remained the same, which showed that the factors of… — PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) July 15, 2025 It turns out HONOR's website lists a curious measurement method, as it measures its foldable phones without the inner and outer protective screen films. That's a questionable measurement method, as users aren't meant to remove the inner film on foldable phones. This layer is effectively a permanent part of the phone, which should only be removed by repair agents. We also checked HONOR's previous foldable listings, and the company used this measuring method as far back as the Magic V2. The company claimed at the time that the Magic V2 was the thinnest book-style foldable phone, coming in at under a centimeter thick (9.9mm). We asked HONOR for comment on the Twitter user's claims: The overall thickness does not include the inner and outer screen protective films and the raised part of the camera. This measuring method is not unique to HONOR. HONOR also sent us images (seen below) which it briefly posted online. These pictures show that the folded device measures 8.8mm. However, the company confirmed to Android Authority that it removed the outer protective film for these images and measurements. That's an understandable caveat as, unlike the inner film, customers can remove the outer film in the first place. The company added that there was 'no need' to remove the inner film for these folded measurements. This does make us wonder why HONOR's website claims that the 8.8mm measurement excludes protective films on both screens. After all, if HONOR achieved an 8.8mm thickness while including these layers, it would be an achievement worth shouting about. It's also worth noting that we don't get a look at the inner screen in these pictures to confirm that the protective film was intact, so we have to take HONOR's word for that. What about other manufacturers? Paul Jones / Android Authority Our ears pricked up when HONOR told us it wasn't the only one using this measurement method. After scouring product listings, we discovered that OPPO excludes the screen protector for its OPPO Find N5 (seen above). This foldable is supposed to be 8.93mm thick. We asked Samsung how it measures foldable phones, and we're still waiting for an answer. However, the company's Newsroom website notes the following: Thickness of Galaxy Z Fold 7 when folded measured from top to bottom of the glasses of Galaxy Z Fold 7. I'm guessing the company is measuring the folded Galaxy Z Fold 7 from the cover screen to the rear glass cover. We've asked Samsung to clarify this statement. Meanwhile, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold product listing simply states that the phone's measurement 'does not include camera bump.' This suggests that Google includes the screen protectors in its measurements. How does Xiaomi measure its foldable phones? Here's what the company told us: Xiaomi follows (the) industry standard on how thickness of foldable devices are measured. The big problem with this response is that there doesn't seem to be a single industry standard for measuring foldable phones. We asked the company to clarify its response, but it didn't come back to us. We also asked HUAWEI about its method of measuring foldable phones, but it didn't get back to us. However, the HUAWEI Mate X6 product page notes that the 'folded thickness does not include the appearance of the camera module.' Finally, we asked vivo about their method of measuring foldable phone thickness, but we're still waiting for an answer. It doesn't end with foldable phone thickness Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Questionable measurement methods aren't restricted to thickness, either. A closer look at various product pages reveals that a few manufacturers are also bending the truth regarding the weight of their foldables. The HONOR Magic V5 product listing confirms that the white model's 217-gram weight was achieved without including the inner protective film. The OPPO Find N5 fine print also shows that its 229-gram weight didn't include the inner screen protector. Meanwhile, the vivo X Fold 5 (217 grams) and HUAWEI Mate X6 (239 grams) product pages reveal that these foldables were weighed without the inner or outer protective films. Again, we can understand excluding the outer film, but the inner film isn't user-removable. Samsung and Google's product listings don't specify these details. Why is all of this a big deal, though? C. Scott Brown / Android Authority You might wonder why we care about 0.1mm or a similarly minuscule disparity. However, this can be the difference between a smartphone maker claiming it has the world's thinnest foldable phone and… not. After all, HONOR's claim that the V5 is the world's thinnest foldable phone hinges on a ~0.1mm difference. Using a measurement method that potentially flatters your own device is a questionable marketing tactic. It could allow brands to make a claim they otherwise might not be able to make with a more conventional measurement method. In HONOR's case, the company told us its measurement holds up even when the inner screen film is included. However, that only raises more questions about why it doesn't stick with the more conventional measurement method in the first place. In any event, it's clear that some foldable phone makers are playing fast and loose when measuring their devices. HONOR and OPPO's measurement methods, in particular, warrant a small pinch of salt. Meanwhile, Xiaomi's response also makes me skeptical about their measurement methods. This issue will likely only return to the spotlight when Apple eventually releases its rumored foldable iPhone. This isn't the first time we've seen questionable tactics from smartphone brands in the name of marketing. Some tactics over the years include benchmark cheating, promoting pointless metrics (e.g. 100x zoom), and 'smartphone camera samples' taken by DSLR cameras. However, this latest tactic risks further eroding user trust in smartphone manufacturer claims. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could get thinner bezels, bigger screen without growing in size
Samsung's next flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, is already drawing attention months ahead of its anticipated debut, with fresh leaks hinting at notable upgrades, particularly in the display department. Building on the enhancements seen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which launched earlier this year, the upcoming model is rumoured to push screen boundaries even further. According to renowned tipster Ice Universe, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could feature a 6.89-inch display, a modest yet meaningful increase from the 6.86-inch panel found on the current Galaxy S25 Ultra. Interestingly, despite the bump in display size, the device's body is expected to retain its 77.6mm width. This suggests that Samsung may be shaving down the bezels further, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. The tipster estimates that the bezels on the S26 Ultra could measure just 1.15mm, compared to the 1.2mm bezels on its predecessor, making it among the slimmest in the Galaxy S series lineup to date. Beyond display enhancements, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to come with significant camera and performance upgrades. Previous reports indicate that Samsung might switch to a new 200MP Sony CMOS sensor, sized at 1/1.1 inches, for the main camera. This would replace the 1/1.3-inch sensor used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, marking a possible departure from Samsung's in-house sensor technology. The camera setup is also tipped to include an upgraded laser autofocus module, potentially improving focus accuracy and working in tandem with the next-gen ProVisual Engine for enhanced image processing. Under the hood, the handset is likely to be powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 "Elite 2 for Galaxy" chipset, paired with up to 16GB of RAM. It is also expected to carry an IP68 rating, offering resistance to water and dust. While Samsung has yet to officially confirm any details, the leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a refined flagship with iterative yet impactful improvements in display, camera technology and processing power.
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Samsung's first Tri-Fold phone may launch this October under Galaxy Z branding, suggests report
Samsung's long-anticipated tri-fold smartphone is now expected to make its global debut by the end of 2025, with fresh reports suggesting it may carry the name Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, marking its entry under the existing Galaxy Z series rather than launching a new lineup altogether. According to renowned journalist Max Jambor (@MaxJmb), the triple-screen foldable is likely to adopt the Galaxy Z TriFold branding. This aligns the device with Samsung's established foldable range, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip models, and indicates the company's intent to consolidate its multi-form factor devices under a single umbrella. Meanwhile, tipster Ice Universe, writing on Chinese social media platform Weibo, claimed that Samsung's tri-fold phone is scheduled for an October 2025 launch. This timeline would put it in direct competition with Huawei, whose Mate XT Ultimate Design successor is expected to be unveiled a month earlier, in September. The upcoming device, codenamed Q7M, is reportedly advancing towards mass production and could be unveiled as a limited release, according to sources familiar with the matter. It is said to carry the model number SM-F968. One of the key highlights of the tri-fold handset is its 9.96-inch display when fully unfolded, offering a near-tablet experience. In its folded form, the device is expected to present a 6.54-inch screen, making it usable as a conventional smartphone. Internally, the device may be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and is tipped to include a silicon-carbon battery, a newer technology that potentially offers faster charging and longer life compared to traditional lithium-ion cells. On the imaging front, the Galaxy Z TriFold could sport a triple rear camera setup and is expected to support 8K video recording at 30fps. The design is rumoured to feature inward-folding hinges, following a G-style folding mechanism similar to the recently showcased Tecno Phantom Ultimate G Fold Concept.
GSM Arena
4 days ago
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen grows, bezels shrink
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 6.86-inch screen, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra is now rumored to boast an ever so slightly larger 6.89-inch panel. Assuming the dimensions of the phone remain the same as its predecessor's, it means the screen's bezels will shrink to just 1.15-1.2mm all-round - very, very thin indeed. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Right now this is just speculation based on a recent rumor claiming that 6.89-inch screen size, and the overall size of the phone remaining the same is merely an assumption on the part of the source of this bezel size calculation, the Chinese leaker going by Ice Universe. The S26 Ultra has already been rumored to come with a 200 MP main camera (that could be using a new Sony sensor), and a 50 MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It might have the same 5,000 mAh battery capacity as its predecessor, but will be thinner. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Source
GSM Arena
4 days ago
- GSM Arena
Honor responds with photo evidence of Magic V5's thickness
Ice Universe posted a video that demonstrated that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is thinner than the Honor Magic V5. Officially, the Galaxy is 8.9mm, while the Magic is 8.8mm, so it should be the other way around. What's going on? Honor contacted us to clear things up. First, it shared these images that use calipers to confirm that the Magic V5 is 8.80mm when closed and 4.10mm when opened, just as the official specs claim. Honor Magic V5 measurements by Honor Ice has his own test with a set of calipers that show 8.95mm for the Honor and 8.79mm for the Galaxy. The leakster states that the Ivory White Magic V5 was the one being measured, as it should be. The Ivory White one is thinner than the other three colorways, which measure 9.0mm/4.2mm folded/unfolded. In the message to us, Honor states that the claimed thickness does not include 'the inner and outer screen protective films' (those are removable). The company also points to manufacturing tolerances and measurement inaccuracies that can also affect the result. Ice Universe measurements: Honor Magic V5 • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Honor has derived the dimensions of the Magic V5 based on standardized lab testing methods. On its global site it says this: 'Data comes from the HONOR Lab. 8.8mm refers to the thickness of the Ivory White model in the folded state. The overall thickness does not include the inner and outer screen protective films and the raised part of the camera. 217g refers to the weight of the Ivory White model excluding the inner protective film. The actual data may vary depending on configurations, manufacturing processes and measurement methods. Please refer to the actual device.' At the end of the day, this is mostly about bragging rights – which company has the thinnest horizontal foldable? Well, in person you are not going to feel a 0.1mm difference, so it doesn't matter too much.
