Nubia Alpha leads flexible-display devices into JerryRigEverything testing

ZTE's Nubia Alpha is the first wearable to have a curved display that might conform effectively to its use-case and UI design. It is presented as a smartwatch, yet has a camera and variants with cellular connectivity. Therefore, it is possible that its maker thinks this is the direction in which mobile devices are headed.

Where it may be less likely to be headed is hard or thoughtless wear. The misfortune that has befallen the advance review units of the Samsung Galaxy Fold may put expectations of flexible devices on the floor as far as durability is concerned. Nevertheless, Zach Nelson, the host of the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything acquired a Nubia Alpha for his repertoire of durability tests.

As the Alpha's long curvy screen is coated in plastic, not glass, you could forgive it for not standing up to much above a level 3 in a Mohs-scale test of hardness. However, Nelson found that it did not in fact withstand level 2 in his testing. The screen also (unsurprisingly) developed ugly puckers in response to exposure to a lighter's flame. However, the display itself remained functional after this punishment.

Nelson had difficulty in actually bending the device, thanks to its watch-like form factor. Even when its metallic strap had been deformed so as to lie flat against the more electronic moiety of the Alpha, however, it remained indifferent to the vlogger's attempt to snap it in half.

This, then, can be considered somewhat of a win for Nubia's first-gen flexible wearable. It is also good news for the viewer, as it can now make a re-appearance on JerryRigEverything for a teardown video.