Smartphone durability tests are conducted not just for the sheer fun of it. It gives us an idea of how handsets will endure, such as in the case of the Google Pixel phone, which recently sustained intense torture at the hands of popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything.
In the video, which was posted Oct. 20, the Really Blue Google Pixel was treated to the same scratch tests that JerryRigEverything conducted for other phones such as the Galaxy Note 7 using pick and razor tools to determine the level of display hardness and the overall durability of the handset's body. Several interesting facts have been revealed.
When the front-facing speaker grill was prodded with the razor, it was immediately punctured. It turned out that the component was made of a rough cloth. It is not yet clear whether this is a smoking gun and that Google must have chosen this material instead of plastic or metal mesh for a reason. However, it could prove to be extremely vulnerable to pointed implements and even moisture. Once ripped, it did not look well at all. JerryRigEverything also did not mention whether there was any change to the audio quality after.
The display panel performed decently, yielding to scratches at level 6 and 7 of the Mohs scale of hardness. There are no surprises there since Pixel uses Corning's Gorilla Glass 4. The glass partly covering the rear, however, has a weaker build. It immediately showed some wear after getting scratched with a simple paper knife.
To test the AMOLED display, which is the same technology Samsung used for its devices, the Pixel went through the "burn test" with a lighter. JerryRigEverything torched the screen and the Pixel managed to last 11 seconds before the exposed part turned permanently white.
Now, the Pixel's aluminum body performed admirably, even beating iPhone 7's performance after being scratched with coins and keys. The light key scratches could even be wiped completely away. This is also the same in the case of the fingerprint sensor and the volume rocker. The former still worked perfectly despite numerous scuff marks.
The Pixel durability test will not be complete without a bend test. JerryRigEverything did not disappoint in this respect. The tormentor, however, only managed a tiny screen bulge before the device snapped back to its original form as if nothing happened. In a previous video, the LG V20 also passed this test, although it bent easily and has noticeably weaker structural integrity.
The verdict was that the Pixel could possibly become one of the most durable phones to date.
