Nope, no manufacturer has solved this. There is a "crease" in the middle the pixel fold here which is in the middle between the Z fold4 and some of the newer Chinese phone companies that do a "tear drop" folder to limit the creasing effect. So it's noticeable but eventually you'll get over it.
> 2. Are there gaps around the hinge or screen edge? Is the phone weatherproof?
Two questions, yes there is a gap top and bottom in the middle when unfolded. A lot of the newer phones are weatherproof yes but I wouldn't take any phone out in a tornado or leave it lying in the sand at a beach.
> 3. Are there gaps when the phone is in the folded state?
Gaps? Where ? When folded you can think of it as two phone sitting directly on top of each other and attached at one side.