In the recently released smartphone durability rankings for 2023 by popular tech reviewer JerryRigEverything, the Google Pixel brand has emerged as a significant player with notable victories and a surprising setback. While things aren’t looking good for the Google Pixel Fold, which Zack Nelson, the channel’s host, says is the 2023 smartphone that “completely, catastrophically, categorically and cataclysmically collapsed,” there is some good news for the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 7a. The former emerged as the second most repairable smartphone while the latter ranked as the most durable phone released in 2023.
Pixel 8 Pro & Pixel 7a bask in victories
The Pixel 8 Pro has been named the runner-up for the most repairable smartphone in 2023, falling just behind the undisputed winner, the Fairphone 5. This is particularly encouraging news for Pixel 8 Pro owners, especially since repair parts for the device have recently become available on iFixit. However, Zack Nelson warns that you’ll need a heat gun and some skills when dealing with screen repair.
A significant triumph for the Pixel brand comes with the Pixel 7a being crowned the most durable smartphone in 2023. This victory is attributed to the device’s plastic back, which proves to be more resilient compared to the glass commonly used in modern smartphones. The durability of the Pixel 7a positions it as an appealing choice for users prioritizing robustness in their mobile devices. However, it’s worth noting that this is only with respect to non-rugged smartphones.
Pixel Fold snapped in half during the bend test
Google’s first venture into the foldable smartphone market failed to meet expectations. In Zack’s durability test, the Pixel Fold snapped in half during a bending test. Zack pointed out a distinctive flaw in the Pixel Fold’s design, highlighting that unlike other foldables, the Pixel Fold doesn’t have the two halves of the phone meet together in the center when it’s open. As a result, the spaced-out halves of the phone simply allow it to keep bending backward, something that Google will definitely want to fix in the next foldable phone.
The Pixel Fold’s poor performance in JerryRigEverything’s durability test is a major blow to Google. The company has been pushing hard into the big screen market in terms of software, and the Pixel Fold was supposed to be its flagship device. It remains to be seen how Google will respond to this setback, but one thing is for sure: the company needs to do something to improve the durability of its foldable phones if it wants to be successful in this market.
While the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 7a bask in their respective victories, the Pixel Fold’s unexpected failure serves as a reminder of the challenges in the evolving landscape of smartphone design.
You can watch the full video below:
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
Next article View Article
