Google’s latest foldable, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, was put through the infamous JerryRigEverything bend test — and while it showed notable improvement over last year’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it still couldn’t withstand serious bending. The device didn’t explode this time, but when it comes to durability under stress, it remains a work in progress.
Incremental gains, familiar weaknesses
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold avoided the dramatic battery failure seen in its predecessor, which ruptured in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s test — an event referred to sharply but not literally as an explosion. That was a rare outcome among bend tests, making its avoidance this time a small win. Still, the newer model cracked under pressure. The hinge area and the antenna line again proved to be its weak points.
Material tests revealed mixed results. Its ceramic-coated outer display largely resisted scratching at level 6 on the Mohs hardness scale — a level where many phones already show damage. But deeper abrasions appeared at level 7. Meanwhile, the back panel made of “glass composite fiber” scratched easily with even a knife, exposing that what’s branded as protective glass may be more plastic-like in resilience.
Bend test results: still disappointing
During the bend test, Google’s foldable visibly gave way. The front panel popped off, and the back panel peeled away under hand pressure alone — no tools involved. These failures echoed earlier foldables, which often suffered structural breaks at the antenna line.
Rumors suggest Google aims to redesign the Pixel foldable every two to three years. Right now, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s test makes clear why that’s overdue. The fundamental design challenges remain unresolved despite upgraded materials and marginal improvements.
Durability still matters when paying foldable-prices. While Google’s latest attempt reduced risks, it didn’t deliver the robustness many hoped for. The test underscores the broader truth: foldable phones are still far from perfect, and manufacturers must address vulnerabilities like hinge design and outer display protection more aggressively. What to watch next: whether Google’s rumored redesign tackles those specific issues, and how foldable performance from rivals stacks up in future durability tests.
