The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has shown no improvement in durability in a recent bend test and teardown. The phone has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its cover screen and an Ultra Thin Glass inner display that scratches easily. The phone’s exterior is made of a durable material, but it lacks dust protection.
The hinge makes a grinding noise when exposed to dirt and sand. In a closed position, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold shows no problems during bend tests. But when opened and bent from the back, there is little resistance due to the antenna lines next to the hinge.
The cover screen’s display popped off from the case instead of breaking. Compared to Samsung’s Z Fold 6, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is not as strong. A teardown showed that under the cover screen is the larger battery.
The other half has a smaller battery and the motherboard. The USB-C port is on its own board for easier repairs. The vapor chamber for cooling is under the battery and Tensor G4 processor.
When closed, most heat is released through the back or inside of the device, not through the folding screen. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has innovative features but still faces challenges in durability and strength, especially compared to its competitors. iFixit did a teardown video of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Shahram Mokhtari from iFixit called it “the most exciting foldable we’ve seen on the iFixit teardown table.”
The video shows clear shots of the phone’s inside parts. It gives detailed insights into how the foldable device is built. Mokhtari notes that Google is offering official parts and replacements for the phone.
He praises the phone’s modularity. Parts like the USB-C port and SIM card tray are easy to remove. iFixit removed the outside screen and back cover using only prying tools.
They did not need a heat gun. But they had trouble removing the batteries with just the pull tabs. The 4.68Wh and 13.4Wh batteries were hard to take out.
Mokhtari said removing the folding screen without damage was impossible. iFixit includes a rotating GIF of the phone. They also offer an interactive X-ray scan of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that you can zoom and rotate for a detailed look.
It’s been a busy time for consumer tech. Apple launched devices on Monday. Google lifted the review embargo for its Pixel Watch 3 the same day.
Sony announced the PlayStation 5 Pro.
Google Foldable’s durability issues exposed
The IFA conference in Berlin also brought plenty of consumer tech news. Here are some thoughts on the latest releases:
Cherlynn Low and Sam Rutherford reviewed the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They said Google’s second foldable has improved a lot, with better hardware, cameras, and battery life.
But it needs to fix some software issues to be its best. The good points are:
– Slick design
– Better cameras than rivals
– Thinner and lighter than before
– Runs cooler
The bad points are:
– Expensive
– Some software quirks
The review examines the cameras, software, battery life, build quality, and more in depth. Cherlynn Low also reviewed the Pixel Watch 3 and said it’s ready to compete with Apple’s smartwatches.
It has good battery life and easy-to-use health tracking. The good points are:
– Fast auto workout detection
– Battery lasts 1.5 days
– Attractive design
– Bright screen
The bad points are:
– A bit bulky
– Some software quirks
