Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Fails JerryRigEverything’s Durability Test, Breaks in Half

Zack Nelson, host of YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, tested the durability of Google’s latest foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the results weren’t promising. Despite the improvements, the device cracked in a bending test, much like its predecessor, the Pixel Fold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold cracked under the pressure, though interestingly, the hinge survived. The phone cracked along the left side, specifically around the antenna lines — a common weak spot on many smartphones.

Watch the video below:

The test began with a scratch assessment. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s outer display, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, showed minor scratches at a level six on the Mohs scale, with deeper marks appearing at a level seven. The inner display, however, proved more susceptible to scratches, showing scratches from just a fingernail—a common problem with foldable phones. Despite these weaknesses, the inner display remains protected when the phone is closed.

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Nelson also put the phone through a dust-resistance test, which is especially important for foldable devices. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has an IPX8 water-resistance rating, it lacks protection against dust. During the test, the phone was sprinkled with sand and dust, and Nelson noticed crunchy sounds when opening and closing the hinge — indicating that the phone isn’t suited to harsh environments.

Additional scratch and burn tests were conducted, but the real worry came during the bending test. Although the hinge held strong, the phone still cracked—along the antenna line, not the hinge, highlighting a structural weakness. Nelson noted that Google could have avoided the failure by repositioning the antennas.

This is the second year in a row that a Google foldable smartphone has failed the Nelson durability test, calling into question the long-term durability of the Pixel Fold series, especially compared to other foldable devices that have passed the test.