The Pixel 9 Pro Fold fails a durability test by Jerry Rig everything, revealing how the screens and materials hold up. The cover screen, made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Actua), starts showing scratches at level six, with deeper grooves appearing at level seven.
Meanwhile, the inner display (Super Actua), made of Ultra Thin Glass, scratches very easily at level two. Even fingernails can damage it, highlighting its fragility compared to the outer display.
Exterior and Hinge Design
The phone’s exterior uses “aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum alloy,” including the surface of the hinge. The internal part of the hinge is made from “multi-alloy steel.” During testing, the hinge grinds when exposed to dirt and sand because it lacks dust protection (IPX8 rating).
When bent while closed, the phone shows no issues. However, when open and bent backward, the phone’s back panels don’t provide enough resistance, causing problems similar to last year’s model. In this test, the cover screen pops off instead of breaking, but the hinge itself remains intact.
Comparing to Samsung’s Z Fold 6
In comparison, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 survived the same test without catastrophic bending. Its two halves lock out securely, which helped it resist damage during the bend test. This comparison highlights some durability differences between the two folding phones, particularly in how they handle bending stress.
Teardown Insights
The teardown reveals the internal structure of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold fails. Under the cover screen lies the larger battery, while the other half houses a smaller battery and the motherboard. The USB-C port is on a separate board, making repairs easier.
The device features a vapor chamber for heat dissipation, primarily on the backside of the device. However, this design choice is curious because the phone’s center, where heat escapes, has a plastic folding screen that might not be ideal for releasing heat efficiently.
