Google Pixel 4 has a huge problem that’ll probably never be fixed
THE Google Pixel 4 has a huge problem that was discovered during its time in YouTuber JerryRigEverything’s smartphone torture chamber.
Pixel 4 released last month and has finally made it into the hands of JerryRigEverything. The YouTuber is renowned for his gruesome smartphone stress tests that have exposed devices past for structural weaknesses and overall durability issues.
JerryRigEverything conducts his durability tests in the same order every time. First of all, the YouTuber tests the scratch resistance of a phone’s screen before running his utility knife around the entire product to meticulously scour for weak points, such as the speaker grill for instance.
Next, a lighter is used to measure a screen’s resistance to heat, at this point the Pixel 4 didn’t hold up too badly at all.
But it was JerryRigEverything’s fourth and final test that had the Pixel 4 writhing in pain: the bend test.
After subjecting the phone to extreme amounts of force, the YouTuber noticed a crack in the top right-hand corner of the phone’s aluminium frame.
Further pressure saw each corner of the phone’s chassis crumble - although it’s worth noting the phone did manage to stay in one piece and no part of its front or rear glass panels cracked.
Upon further inspection (using a utility knife to scrape the Pixel 4’s matte coating from its aluminium frame), JerryRigEverything noticed Google has placed the antenna bands of the phone in each corner.
Google Pixel 4 introduces new feature live caption
The YouTuber noted the antenna placement is the biggest problem with the Pixel 4’s structural rigidity, or lack thereof.
Although JerryRigEverything subjected the Pixel 4 to copious amounts of force that certainly isn’t typical of everyday usage, the structural weak points of the Google phone are certainly worth taking into account. Imagine leaving the Pixel 4 in your back pocket and accidentally sitting on it, only to find it’s aluminium chassis has cracked.
Google hasn’t discussed the placement of the Pixel 4’s antenna bands. It’s also highly unlikely the firm would redesign the chassis of its flagship after launch.
With that said, this isn’t the first time a high-profile device has cracked under pressure. Last year’s Apple’s redesigned iPad Pro was famously obliterated by JerryRigEverything’s bend test. In this particular instance, the YouTuber pointed out structural weaknesses in the middle of the device’s chassis.
Cracking aside, we found the Pixel 4 to be an extremely capable phone at Express.co.uk. We recently reviewed the device and awarded it four out of five stars.