Pixel 11 Pro Fold Fails Bend Test, Improves Durability

The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold has undergone the rigorous durability testing conducted by YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, revealing both improvements and persistent weaknesses in its design. In a video published on March 1, 2024, host Zack Nelson subjected the foldable smartphone to a series of tests, including scratch resistance, burn tests, and a crucial bend test. While the Pixel 11 Pro Fold did not suffer the catastrophic failure of exploding or completely breaking apart as some previous foldable devices have, it ultimately failed the bend test, indicating that Google still has significant engineering challenges to overcome in perfecting the durability of its foldable form factor.

During the scratch test, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's external display exhibited scratch marks at Mohs hardness level 6, with deeper gouges appearing at level 7. This performance is consistent with many other smartphones featuring glass displays, suggesting a standard level of scratch resistance for everyday use. The internal folding screen, however, proved more susceptible, showing visible damage at a lower hardness level, a common characteristic of flexible display technologies. The burn test, which involves exposing the screen to a direct flame, showed that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's display could recover from heat exposure, a positive sign for its resilience against accidental heat damage.

The most critical test for any foldable device is the bend test, designed to simulate the stresses placed on the hinge and screen during repeated folding and unfolding, as well as accidental pressure. JerryRigEverything applied pressure to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold from both the front and the back. While the device did not immediately shatter or break, applying significant force from the back caused the internal display to permanently crease and malfunction in the area of stress. This outcome signifies that the structural integrity of the foldable hinge and the internal screen assembly is not yet robust enough to withstand extreme bending forces.

Last year's Pixel Fold, in its own JerryRigEverything durability test, famously broke apart and its screen shattered when subjected to similar bending stress. The fact that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold did not suffer such a dramatic failure suggests that Google has made incremental improvements in its manufacturing and design processes for this generation of foldable hardware. However, the continued failure of the bend test highlights that achieving a level of durability comparable to traditional slab smartphones remains an elusive goal for the Pixel Fold line. Consumers considering a foldable device often prioritize durability alongside innovative form factors, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's performance in this regard indicates that further development is necessary before it can be considered a truly rugged foldable.