Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Catches Fire in Durability Test; Declared Weakest Foldable Yet!

A YouTuber Stated That Pixel 10 Pro Fold Exploded During One of His Tests, Calling it the Weakest Foldable of the Decade

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is making headlines for all the wrong reasons after it reportedly cracked and burned during a durability test. Popular tech YouTuber JerryRigEverything witnessed the device catch fire in the middle of the test, which even triggered his studio’s fire alarm.

Meanwhile, Google’s latest foldable flagship received an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. 

Shocking Outcome of the Durability Test

Popular creator JerryRigsEverything is famous for testing newly launched devices to the limit when it comes to durability. In his latest video, he was testing a Pixel 10 Pro Fold. During the bend test, the device caught fire, as seen in the video.

So, what went wrong with the device? According to JerryRigsEverything, Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a short circuit after it got bent, which led to a thermal reaction within the device. The reaction caused all of the battery’s energy to be released in one uncontrollable burst. 

The YouTuber claimed that this was the “first time a phone had exploded in such a manner during one of his tests in a decade”. He announced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, “the weakest folding phone” he ever tested.

“This is the weakest folding phone I’ve ever tested,” he said, criticizing Google’s marketing claims. 

The creator suggested that “the fault lies with the placement of the antenna lines”, which, he said, “remain unchanged from previous Pixel Fold models and are structurally weak points in the hinge area.”

The creator took a dig at Google over the device’s durability claims. He said, “Having the audacity to call the Pixel 10 Fold extremely durable is an insult to tech enthusiasts everywhere.”

Other Experts Defend the Result

Despite the alarming visuals, iFixit experts cautioned that the incident may not be indicative of a widespread design flaw. “It is likely that the battery was not discharged before testing.” In a statement to The Verge, iFixit’s Elizabeth Chamberlain explained that “most new phones ship with about 60% charge, which increases the risk during stress tests.”

"We usually recommend discharging a battery below 25 percent," Elizabeth Chamberlain added.

When Google announced Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the company was confident that it was one of, if not the most durable, foldable yet. 

Google has not yet commented on the video, though to be fair, tests like these do not mean the product is any less durable or that Google overpromised.

The incident of Pixel 10 Pro Fold catching fire during the test has set off online discussions about Google’s foldable phone design. Experts, however, believe that one extreme test doesn’t define any phone’s durability. Even so, the incident shows how challenging it is to balance innovation and safety. Tech enthusiasts also believe that it might push Google to rethink its design in upcoming models.