Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Not as Strong as Other Foldables

The durability of Google’s latest foldable smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, has been put to the test by the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything. This evaluation comes with heightened interest, given that its predecessor, the Pixel Fold, failed to withstand the channel’s rigorous bend test last year.

Initial results appeared promising. The device’s cover screen, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, demonstrated resilience by only showing scratches at level 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. The main Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) display, covered with a plastic layer, expectedly scratched at a lower level 2.

However, the test took a concerning turn when the host introduced sand and small rocks to the main screen. These particles quickly infiltrated the device, finding their way inside the body and hinge mechanism.

The durability test takes a dramatic turn at 5:40 in the video. Echoing the fate of its predecessor, the device fails to withstand the notorious bend test. When pressure is applied from the rear, the phone catastrophically snaps in two, rendering the main display inoperable and causing the cover screen to detach.

According to the YouTuber, the weak point in the phone’s build could be an antenna line that mirrors both sides of the folding screen. This structural element appears to be the primary point of failure during the bend test.

With the phone’s integrity compromised, the durability test unexpectedly transforms into an impromptu teardown. This unplanned disassembly provides a glimpse into the internal components of Google’s latest foldable. This includes an inside look at the Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) screen, mainboard, vapor chamber for heat dissipation, camera modules, and the device’s dual battery configuration.