In a recent durability test, the Pixel Fold, Google’s first foray into the foldable smartphone market, exhibited significant vulnerabilities, particularly in terms of its structural integrity. The test culminated in the phone’s frame snapping apart, resulting in a visually striking failure.
Renowned tech reviewer JerryRigEverything conducted the customary durability examination on the Pixel Fold, encompassing assessments of the scratch resistance of both the external and internal displays. Intriguingly, when the heat was applied to the inner display during the fire test, the device unexpectedly shut down entirely.
Surprisingly, the dust torture test yielded commendable results, with no ingress of dust observed within the hinge mechanism.
During the initial tests, the Pixel Fold held up comparably well to Samsung’s foldable devices. However, its performance took a turn for the worse during the bend test.
Under extreme pressure, the phone’s frame succumbed, specifically at the antenna lines, resulting in the device being fractured in half. Notably, the hinge, heralded by Google as the “most durable” in the market, withstood all forms of torture, while the remainder of the phone faltered, causing irreparable damage to the display and rendering the Fold incapable of closing.
Subsequently, the test concludes with the phone being manually destroyed, signifying a regrettable outcome. However, it should be noted that this level of destruction is highly unlikely to occur under normal usage conditions. Nevertheless, Google must address these weaknesses, especially given that Samsung and other foldable brands have demonstrated success in passing similar durability trials. Failure to do so may hinder Pixel Fold’s competitiveness, particularly in terms of pricing.
The complete Pixel Fold durability test can be viewed in the video below.