The Google Pixel 4 series launched quite recently, including the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Well, the large one of the two, the Pixel 4 XL variant, just got durability tested. Unfortunately, the device did not really shine in that durability test.
The Pixel 4 XL durability test surfaced on YouTube, courtesy of JerryRigEverything. That video is embedded down below if you’d like to jump straight to it. The video itself has a duration of over nine minutes.
The Google Pixel 4 XL may disappoint you in this durability test
The first test that was conducted is the display scratch test. The Pixel 4 XL’s display is protected by the Gorilla Glass 5, so the source was able to scratch it with a level six pick. That is the norm for Gorilla Glass 5, in case you were wondering. The Pixel 4 XL’s display won’t get scratched by your keys, or anything of the sort.
Sensors above the display are protected by the same sheet of Gorilla Glass 5 as the phone’s display. The phone’s frame is not anodized, Google once again applied some paint on top of the metal, as it did in the past.
The volume up and down buttons are made out of metal, while the phone’s power key is made from plastic. It is also presented in a different color than the rest of the phone.
The phone’s rear-facing cameras are protected by glass, but not an LED flash. That comes with a piece of plastic on top of it, as is the case with most smartphones out in the market.
The Pixel 4 XL’s display lasted for quite a bit while exposed to open flame. It lasted for about 40 seconds before Pixels started shutting down, but it recovered completely after that.
Now, major issued occurred when the source started bending the phone. When he applied pressure from the back, the device did bend a bit, but it reverted in its original state afterwards. Nothing cracked, or anything of the sort.
The phone’s antennas are poorly-placed
When he applied pressure from the front, however, things fell apart. Soon after he applied pressure, the phone cracked right below the rear-facing camera. Its right side snapped, above the power key.
The source continued applying pressure, and the phone cracked on the other side as well, above the SIM card tray. The phone was still alive at this point, though.
He continued applying pressure, and the phone snapped on the bottom as well. It seems like the antenna line placement is the issue here. Antenna lines are built into the phone’s frame, and in a really unfortunate place if you apply pressure on the device from the front.
The phone was still alive at this point, its display was still powered on. Still, this should not happen to a phone at this price point, as JerryRigEverything points out in his video.