In the realm of high-end smartphones, both consumers and critics often emphasize the necessity for a device to withstand daily wear and tear without compromising on performance or aesthetic appeal. This is especially true for Google’s latest flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which boasts a seven-year software support lifecycle. But software longevity needs to be matched by robust hardware, raising the stakes for Google’s newest offering. The question that needs answering is whether this much-anticipated device, available for $1,099 on Amazon, lives up to the durability claims. Popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything put this theory to the test.
Durability Tests: Scratch, Burn, and Bend
Scratch Test Highlights
JerryRigEverything subjected the Pixel 9 Pro XL to his hallmark scratch test, where a device is put through an ordeal involving various Mohs mineral hardness scale tips. This test, crucial for evaluating the scratch resistance of a smartphone, is especially pertinent for consumers concerned about everyday usage impacts, such as keys and coins. The Pixel 9 Pro XL featured Google’s signature rear camera visor, a design element that had faced scrutiny in previous models. To the delight of many, this latest model showed impressive resistance to scratches.
The front display of the Pixel 9 Pro XL managed to hold its ground against materials with a hardness level of 6 and even showed remarkable resilience at level 7, acquiring only minor scratches. The rear camera visor, which had previously been a vulnerability in the Pixel 7 Pro, held up remarkably well, exhibiting a fortified design that seemed to correct past issues. The frame made from 100% recycled aluminum contributed to its high standard of durability. This was reassuring, given that one of the primary concerns was the recycled material’s potential compromise on the device’s sturdiness.
Burn Test Overview
While the scratch test evaluates how well a screen and body can endure physical abrasions, the burn test provides insights into a device’s screen quality and recovery ability when exposed to high temperatures. Conducted using a direct flame source, the burn test on JerryRigEverything’s channel is a veritable trial by fire for any smartphone. The burn test for the Pixel 9 Pro XL began once the lighter’s flame was held directly to the display. The screen began to exhibit white spots after approximately 25 seconds. However, the display appeared to regain functionality quickly, recovering without any permanent damage once the heat source was removed.
What stood out in this test was the efficacy of the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s AMOLED screen in bouncing back swiftly, a crucial feature considering high usage temperatures that can occasionally happen in real-world scenarios. For prospective buyers, this resilience can be a significant selling point, mitigating worries about accidental exposure to extreme heat. Despite this ordeal, the device remained fully operational, and its display’s integrity was not compromised. Such resilience sets a precedent, especially when compared to other flagship models that often struggle under similar tests.
Frame and Overall Build Quality
Bend Test Insights
One of the most telling durability tests a smartphone can undergo is the bend test, which determines how it fares under pressure. In JerryRigEverything’s bend test, devices are subjected to manual bending, simulating situations where a phone could be accidentally sat on or subjected to pressure. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, with its 8.5-millimeter thickness and recycled aluminum frame, needed to excel in this area to validate its sturdiness claims. As Zack Nelson, the reviewer, applied manual pressure to both the front and back of the device, one could sense the anticipation. Remarkably, the Pixel 9 Pro XL did not feature any significant cracks, bends, or creaking noises.
This performance represents a substantial improvement over the Pixel 7 Pro, which had encountered challenges during a similar test. The lack of any deformity or cracking is a clear indicator of the smartphone’s robust construction. Such durability is especially critical given the device’s intended seven-year lifespan, which implies that users will likely depend on this phone far longer than the average consumer lifecycle.
Frame Durability and Design
The recycled aluminum frame of the Pixel 9 Pro XL stands out not only for its sustainability but also for its resilience, marking a departure from the typically thicker frames of its predecessors. Sustainability aficionados will appreciate that the frame is made entirely from recycled materials, yet it doesn’t compromise its structural integrity. Standing at 8.5 millimeters thick, the Pixel 9 Pro XL manages to combine an appealing design with durability, a balance challenging to achieve. The frame and overall build quality thus play a pivotal role in ensuring that the smartphone can endure wear and tear over an extended period.
This level of durability, validated by surviving the trio of scratch, burn, and bend tests, suggests that Google’s efforts to create a sturdy device without sacrificing aesthetics have paid off. The smartphone’s ability to endure these rigorous evaluations implies that users can trust it to remain functional throughout its extended software support period. Such robustness also prepares Google to continue its leading presence in the competitive smartphone arena, where longevity and durability often sway consumer choices as much as features and pricing.
Innovations and Long-Term Strategy
Focus on Long-Term Software Support
Beyond just hardware durability, Google’s promise of a seven-year software support lifecycle aims to offer customers more than just a reliable device. This focus on long-term software updates is intended to provide continued value to users, ensuring their devices stay current with the latest features and security updates. Such a commitment is rare in the smartphone industry, where many manufacturers often cap software support at three or four years. The extended support period aligns with Google’s strategy to retain customer loyalty by offering a long-lasting product that remains relevant.
However, for this approach to succeed, the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s hardware must be able to keep up over the prolonged period. JerryRigEverything’s exhaustive durability tests serve as a credible benchmark to affirm the device’s potential to last. Google aims to set a new standard in the industry by marrying long-term software relevance with hardware ruggedness, a combination that could redefine consumer expectations.
Setting a Benchmark for Future Models
In the high-end smartphone market, consumers and critics alike stress the importance of a device’s ability to endure daily use without sacrificing performance or aesthetics. This expectation is especially relevant for Google’s latest flagship model, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which boasts an impressive seven-year software support lifecycle. However, to make good on this promise, the durability of the hardware must also be up to par. Google’s newest high-end phone, priced at $1,099 on Amazon, has sparked discussions about whether it truly lives up to its durability claims. Well-known YouTuber JerryRigEverything decided to put this to the test, aiming to see if the Pixel 9 Pro XL could meet the rigorous standards that consumers expect from such a high-end device. Given its advanced features and high price point, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is under intense scrutiny by both fans and critics who want to see if it can stand the test of time and daily wear and tear, both in terms of performance and physical integrity. This evaluation is crucial as it will determine if this flagship can justify its cost and longevity claims.