JerryRigEverything puts the latest midrange champion through his usual gauntlet of tests
While you’ll still find a handful of models out there, the days of specialized rugged phones are generally over. It’s been years since Samsung actively edited its smartphones, leaving case makers to develop methods to protect your expensive glass and metal sandwich of a device. That’s what makes durability testing so important, and today it’s the Pixel 6a’s turn to go through the wringer.
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You know how it goes: another phone release, another video from Zack on JerryRigEverything. He’s previously tested all of Google’s Pixel phones, and most recently put the Pixel 6 Pro through a gauntlet of durability tests last fall. This particular device survived without a hitch, but with the Pixel 6a’s price cut in half compared to the 2021 flagship, it’s fair to expect some sacrifices.
This durability test goes as expected for most of his career. The Gorilla Glass 3 covering the display is scratchable as usual (it’s not a sapphire display, after all), although the fingerprint sensor continues to work without any problems. Meanwhile, the frame around the device is confirmed as metal, scratching and scraping under Zack’s razor blade. The back is really plasticky, as much as it feels in the hand, and this choice of material leads to one of the best “Art Class with Jerry” segments I’ve seen in recent memory. I won’t dare spoil it – it’s worth watching on its own.
Really, the part of the video that should concern most of us is the bend test. Last year’s Pixel 6 Pro barely showed any flex, no matter the pressure. The Pixel 6a could cut the price in half, but the familiar design remains without a hitch. Despite a minimal bending of the screen, the phone is able to withstand breaking in half. That’s not something that can be said about every mid-range device these days, and it’s great to see Google continuing its trend of durable and accessible designs after a few unsuccessful releases.
It’s only a couple of months until the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro hit store shelves, which will no doubt prompt another round of testing. However, given the recycled construction that Google is relying on this year, it looks like the company’s trajectory will continue for another year. If you’re worried about your phone taking a beating, Google’s line seems like a solid choice, no pun intended.