Pixel 9 Pro Fold Shows No Year-Over-Year Improvement in Durability Tests

Durability Test Findings – Cover Screen: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 scratches at level six; deeper scratches at level seven – Inner Display: Ultra Thin Glass scratches at level two; fingernails can cause damage – Exterior: Made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy; hinge uses multi-alloy steel – Dust Exposure: No dust protection (IPX8); hinge grinds when exposed to dirt and sand

Bend Test Results – Closed Bend Test: No issues – Open Bend Test: Problems occur when bent from the back – Antennas: Antenna lines near the hinge cause the display to pop off – Comparison: Samsung Z Fold 6 performs better in similar tests; no catastrophic bending

Teardown Insights – Battery: Larger battery under the cover screen; smaller battery and motherboard in the other half – Repair: USB-C on a separate board for easier repair – Thermal Management: Most heat dissipation happens from the backside; may affect efficiency with the plastic folding screen