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Samsung turned heads at CES 2026 by putting its foldable screens through an unorthodox endurance exam: live basketballs. The demonstration was equal parts showmanship and engineering proof, aimed at easing concerns about OLED hinge durability and real-world resilience.
Robot Basketball: a literal stress test for foldable OLEDs
At the Samsung Display booth a segment called "Robot Basketball" put 18 foldable OLED panels on the line. Each panel was mounted like a backboard while a robotic arm repeatedly hurled regulation basketballs at them, simulating repeated impacts and continuous strain.
The stunt wasn’t pure spectacle. Reporters on site noted additional durability trials, including dropping steel balls from roughly 30 centimeters onto the panels. After the barrage of impacts and drops, Samsung said the foldable displays continued operating without visible issues — a data point meant to reassure Galaxy Z Fold and Flip users worried about longevity.
Cold storage challenge: automotive OLEDs stay lightning fast at -20°C
Samsung didn’t stop at impact testing. The company also chilled its automotive OLED prototypes in a freezer, exposing them to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Even at that temperature the panels reportedly maintained a 0.2 millisecond response time, essentially matching their performance at room temperature.
That result matters beyond headlines. Displays that retain ultra-fast response in extreme cold are critical for in-car interfaces and HUDs in regions with harsh winters — where reliability and low latency can affect safety and user experience.
Imagine handing your phone to a skeptic and asking them to dunk a basketball at it. It’s theatrical, but at CES 2026 Samsung used theater to make a technical point: foldable OLEDs can be built to withstand real-world stresses and extreme conditions, and the company seems intent on proving it.
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