Pixel 11 Pro Fold hinge cracks again but no explosion this time

The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold cracks in the same spot as its predecessors during JerryRigEverything’s extreme fold test. The hinge fails near the antennas, but this year, the screen and battery hold up better — no explosion, unlike the 2025 model.

A resistance test that remains just as ruthless

YouTuber JerryRigEverything subjected the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to his usual bend test: forcing the smartphone in the opposite direction of its closure. The result? The hinge breaks at the two antenna points, just like with the Pixel Fold, 9 Pro Fold, 10 Pro Fold, and 11 Pro Fold. Google had claimed this model was "3 times more resistant" than the previous one.

This time, the inner screen doesn’t crack, and the battery doesn’t catch fire — an improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, whose battery exploded in 2025. The outer screen, however, detaches completely without breaking. Scratch tests confirm standard resistance: the outer screen scratches at level 6 on the Mohs scale, with deeper marks at level 7, while the softer inner screen scratches as early as level 2.

Durability claims to be taken with a grain of salt

Google states that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s hinge supports millions of open-and-close cycles in lab conditions. Yet, JerryRigEverything’s test — though extreme and not representative of daily use — reveals a persistent structural weakness. The manufacturer also touts an IP68 rating, but fine particles still penetrate the hinge during testing.

The fire resistance test also shows that both OLED screens suffer permanent damage after 20 seconds (inner screen) and 13 seconds (outer screen) of flame exposure, respectively.

A controversial design

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold also stands out with an asymmetrical thickness: one side is slightly thicker than the other, a first for the lineup. Google reduced the overall thickness (5 mm unfolded, 10.1 mm folded) and weight (19 g lighter than the 10 Pro Fold), but at the cost of a visible and tangible trade-off. Some users and testers, like those at Android Authority, note that this asymmetry ruins the in-hand experience, especially for one-handed use.

Another step back: the battery drops from 5,015 mAh (Pixel 10 Pro Fold) to 4,750 mAh, while fast charging remains capped at 30 W. These choices contrast with competitors like the Motorola Razr Fold (6,000 mAh, 80 W) or the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (silicon-carbon battery, improved charging).

RecommendedGalaxy Z Fold 8: Samsung beats Apple to the foldable punchNews · August 7, 2026

A foldable strategy in question

With a starting price of $1,899 ($100 more than last year), the Pixel 11 Pro Fold struggles to stand out. Improvements — slimmer design, IP68, Qi2 wireless charging — aren’t enough to offset the trade-offs in battery, charging, or performance, according to several observers. Against rivals like Samsung or Motorola, which offer larger screens, longer-lasting batteries, or stylus support, Google seems behind.

“If you keep fixing the same issues year after year, those improvements eventually add up.”Translated from French

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold improves in some areas, but its structural weaknesses and design compromises show Google still has a way to go. For users, the question remains: is it worth paying a premium for a foldable that doesn’t stand out enough?

Android Authority Google Motorola Razr Fold Samsung