Google Pixel Fold: Durability test shows shortcomings of Google's first-generation foldable smartphone

The Pixel Fold has come in for criticism since Google started shipping units to reviewers and those who placed early pre-orders. Understandably, foldables are less robust than conventional smartphones. However, it appears that Google has made some of the mistakes with the Pixel Fold that Samsung made on its first-generation foldable, such as an overly fragile and exposed foldable display.

JerryRigEverything's latest video emphasises this, but not for reasons raised by the likes of Ars Technica. Instead, it turns out that the Pixel Fold suffers from the similar design flaws that the YouTuber demonstrated when testing the Pixel 7 Pro. Specifically, the antenna lines on the Pixel Fold appear to be a weak point, cracking when the foldable is bent the wrong way.

As JerryRigEverything discusses in the video below, these weak points allow the rest of the chassis to pull the foldable display out of place, irrevocably damaging it in the process. Seemingly, the Pixel Fold will not "lock out" when bent the wrong way, as the Galaxy Z Fold4 does. With that being said, the Pixel Fold withstood other durability tests, including those involving dust and fine particles. Nonetheless, it appears that Samsung is way ahead of Google when it comes to making durable foldable smartphones. 

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