Current era Pixels get 7 years of support from launch, along with having parts available via iFixIt for that duration.
If you consider that proper support is a requirement for security and privacy, the price becomes a lot more tempting. A Xiaomi device that costs 250 bucks but runs out of support in 2 years (which another OS cannot compensate for, by the way), it's suddenly not a very value for money proposition.
Regarging ruggedness, I can give you an anecdote. I've had the Pixel 6 since launch with a fairly protective case. I've dropped it countless times. I've tossed it, I've dropped it on the floor, it's even fallen down steps. Not a single issue with the phone, or any damage on it. I used to have a screen protector, but I broke it at some point and didn't bother installing another one. No scratches or anything like that on my screen, despite putting it in the same pocket as my keys sometimes (though I try to avoid it).
Your mileage may vary, and I'm sure others don't have the same experience, but I thought I'd let you know what my experience was like. I'm definitely upgrading once the 6 runs out of support in 2026.