Google gave a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous durability testing its Pixel smartphones undergo . The company also shared two incredible stories of the Pixel 6a surviving extreme conditions, proving how effective these tests are in real life.
Back in February, Andrew Prag lost his Pixel 6a while skiing in Serre Chevalier, France. After accidentally leaving his phone in the snow, Andrew tried to locate it via geolocation, but was unsuccessful due to heavy snowfall. 6 months later, he returned to the scene and found his device covered in mud.
“ I just plugged it in and turned it on like it had been sitting in a drawer all this time ,” he said.
Despite months spent in snow, mud, and rain, the Pixel 6a performed flawlessly.
Another story involves Ajay Kamath, an engineer on Google’s product integrity team. While on a trip to Tahoe, his daughter dropped her Pixel 6a off a chairlift. Five days later, after the snow had melted, the phone was found in power-saving mode, still operational.
Durability testing: How does Google put its Pixels to the test?
Ajay’s team uses a variety of tests to simulate real-world smartphone usage and anticipate potential accidents:
- Drop tests: Devices are dropped repeatedly from low heights.
- Backpack simulation: Robotic arms reproduce the friction common in bags.
- Vibration tests: Phones are shaken vigorously to identify weak points.
The approach relies on failure modes and effects analysis (DFMEA), a process that helps identify and fix device vulnerabilities.
“ We’re not just looking to break phones, but to understand why and how they fail ,” Ajay explained.
Tests in extreme conditions
Google subjects its Pixels to extreme temperatures , ranging from -30°C to 75°C, to simulate transitions between hot and cold environments. Other tests include:
- Altitude tests: Verification of operation at high altitudes, such as during unpressurized transports.
- Practical simulations: Although unlikely scenarios such as falling from an airplane are not tested, the Pixels are subjected to realistic but demanding conditions.
Why does the Pixel 6a survive these tests?
While the Pixel 6a isn’t specifically designed for prolonged exposure to extreme weather conditions, its waterproof design and IP rating played a crucial role. The snow also provided thermal protection, and disabled charging circuits prevented any short circuits.
However, Ajay cautions: “ We don’t want to encourage people to test our products in extreme conditions, but seeing a phone exceed expectations is always a nice surprise .”
Andrew and Ajay’s stories illustrate the power of Google’s rigorous testing and show that Pixels are built to withstand more than just everyday use. While these extreme performance levels are impressive, they shouldn’t prompt users to push their devices to their limits. That said, if your Pixel gets dropped in the snow, there’s a good chance it’ll survive the ordeal!
