The new Pixel 11 Pro Fold foldable smartphone broke during a durability test conducted by YouTuber JerryRigEverything.
When attempting to bend the unfolded device backward, the chassis cracked near the hinge—the same area where three previous Google foldable models had failed.
The failure occurred along two antenna cutouts in the metal frame. The original Pixel Fold, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and last year’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold had previously shown similar results. Thus, all four generations of the company’s foldable smartphones have broken in the same structural zone during this type of test.
The damage to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold didn’t stop there. Under further pressure, the outer screen panel completely detached from the body. Tester Zack Nelson required no additional tools to achieve this.
However, the current model avoided the worst outcome seen with its predecessor. During a similar test of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold in 2025, chassis deformation led to battery damage; the cell ruptured, resulting in heavy smoke emission. No such incident occurred with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
This recurring failure is particularly notable given Google’s own claims. When unveiling the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the company described it as its most durable foldable smartphone, stating that its design was three times stronger than the previous year’s model. Key changes highlighted by the developer included a new gearless hinge, a composite fiberglass back panel, and a ceramic protective coating for the outer screen.
At least the latter feature proved its worth during testing. Visible scratches on the outer display only began to appear at level 7 on the Mohs scale, whereas level 6 left virtually no marks. As expected, the flexible inner panel proved significantly less resistant to mechanical damage, showing scratches as early as the second level.
Furthermore, during testing, small particles managed to penetrate the hinge area—despite the smartphone holding an IP68 rating.
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