Google took the covers off the Pixel 11 series at its 2026 ‘Made by Google’ event. While not a lot has changed in terms of design, the company is sort of making up for it with hardware improvements. For instance, the charging department gets a new “Extreme Charging Mode” to speed things up. Similarly, Google is also giving the Pixel 11 Pro displays an upgrade in terms of durability.
Pixel 11 Pro gets a durability boost with a new anti-scratch display coating
The Pixel 11 Pro series gets significant upgrades to scratch and drop protection. Built on top of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL feature an “anti-scratch display coating.” Google claims it makes the screens more than twice as scratch-resistant as previous Pixel phones. “The Pixel 11 Pro phones are the most durable Pixels yet,” claims the company.
A Google spokesperson has shared more details about the coating with 9to5Google. He explains the anti-scratch coating is just 800nm thick and sits between the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the oleophobic coating. Google says it tested the coating for both scratch resistance and durability using scenarios designed to mimic everyday use, including contact with items such as keys and nail files. The company hasn’t revealed how it managed to pull this off but called it proprietary. It also confirmed that it is separate from the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 underneath.
The foldable takes a different approach
Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold reportedly takes a different approach. It doesn’t have traditional cover glass at all. It instead uses a new ceramic glass material. Google hasn’t revealed the supplier, but it’s apparently different from what the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL bring to the table while offering enhanced drop and scratch protection.
The foldable features a new rear “glass fiber composite” that Google claims is “nearly impossible to crack.” This apparently makes the Pixel 11 Pro Fold three times more durable than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. “The new glass fiber composite back cover is designed to be nearly impossible to crack,” says Google.
“Paired with a new gearless hinge that protects the inner display and a new Super Actua outer display made of ultra-strong ceramic cover glass, this phone is three times more durable than last year’s device, and it’s our most durable Pixel Fold yet,” said the company. We’ll see how well these claims hold up in real-world durability testing.
The post Pixel 11 Pro Display Brings Major Boost to Scratch and Drop Resistance appeared first on Android Headlines.
