Pixel 10 Pro Fold Fails Durability Test, Continuing Bending Trend
▼ Summary
– The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion and is dust-tight.
– A durability test revealed the phone broke during a bend test at the antenna line, similar to its predecessor the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
– The hinge failed to expel sand particles when unfolded, compromising its dust resistance despite the IP6X rating.
– The phone’s battery was punctured after the damage, likely due to the extreme nature of the test.
– Foldables like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold face inherent durability challenges due to their design, contrasting with improvements in competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series.
Despite boasting a stronger hinge and an official IP68 water and dust resistance rating, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has stumbled in a recent durability evaluation, revealing persistent structural weaknesses. The test, conducted by the popular channel JerryRigEverything, followed a standard procedure that includes assessing scratch resistance, exposure to flame, and a critical bending assessment. It was during this final bend test that the device catastrophically failed, succumbing to pressure applied from both sides.
The manner of failure was strikingly similar to that of its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The device fractured along the antenna line, suggesting a recurring design flaw that Google appears not to have addressed in this new iteration. This specific weak point has become a troubling signature for the Pixel Fold lineup.
The phone’s troubles extended beyond just bending. When fine sand was introduced to the closed hinge mechanism, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was unable to expel the particles upon opening. The resulting grinding noise was a clear indicator of internal damage. It is worth noting that the sand used in this test consisted of larger granules than typical dust, yet the device’s IP6X dust-tight certification should theoretically handle such intrusions by pushing them out during the folding process, which it failed to do.
Following these stress tests, the phone’s internal battery was likely punctured by the shattered components, leading to a complete failure. While this final outcome is somewhat expected after such extreme physical damage, it underscores the vulnerability of the internal layout.
It is important to recognize that all modern foldable phones represent a compromise between durability and a slim, portable design. Current technology imposes limits on how robust these intricate devices can be. However, where competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series have demonstrated improved resilience in recent models, Google’s foldable offering continues to show a pronounced susceptibility to damage in these controlled but revealing tests.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
