According to Ars Technica’s Ron Amadeo, the Pixel Fold foldable device had a short lifespan of only four days due to various design flaws, as reported by him.
Despite minimal usage, the device experienced issues such as the bottom pixels dying, resulting in a line of fully lit pixels at the bottom of the screen. The left half of the screen became unresponsive to touch, and a white gradient appeared within an hour.
The demise of the Pixel Fold can be attributed to an exposed OLED gap, which seems to be a common flaw in other units as well. Ron speculates that something might have entered the gap when the screen was closed, leading to a puncture in the panel.
Google has cautioned users about the vulnerability of flexible screens to sand, crumbs, and sharp objects, emphasizing the need to avoid contact with such materials.
Another concern is the incomplete coverage of the plastic layer on the OLED panel, leaving vulnerable areas that are prone to damage. It is uncertain whether this was intentional or an oversight by Google, but it raises further apprehensions among users who have purchased these devices.
Ron also highlights the issue of nearly flush bezels on the Pixel Fold, which allows the two sides of the display to touch when the device is closed. Even the tiniest debris can cause irreversible damage to the screen.
Given the significant design flaw, Ron suggests caution before investing in a foldable device. The form factor, despite several iterations, has not yet reached a point of complete reliability and safety. The extent of this issue will become evident in the coming days, as the Pixel Fold is set to be released in several countries this week.