Pixel 10 Pro Fold Catches Fire in Durability Test
▼ Summary
– The Pixel 10 Pro Fold catastrophically failed durability tests by snapping, smoking, and exploding during a bend test.
– Its screen scratched at level 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and had deeper grooves at level 7, similar to its predecessor.
– The inner screen is easily scratched by fingernails but is protected when folded, while the outer rims lost color coating when scraped.
– Despite an IP68 dust resistance rating, the hinge performed poorly in gritty tests, with sand particles crunching inside it.
– The device broke along antenna lines instead of the hinge when folded the wrong way, a design flaw criticized by the tester.
During a recent durability assessment, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold experienced a dramatic and unprecedented failure, emitting smoke and effectively exploding while being bent. This alarming incident occurred on the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, hosted by Zack Nelson, who was evaluating the structural resilience of Google’s newest foldable smartphone. The event marks the first time in Nelson’s ten years of testing that a device has combusted during one of his evaluations, casting a shadow over the phone’s advertised durability.
The examination began routinely with scratch tests on the exterior. The cover screen, made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2, showed scratches at level six on the Mohs Hardness Scale, with more pronounced grooves appearing at level seven. These results mirror the performance of its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The flexible inner display proved vulnerable to even a fingernail, underscoring the importance of applying a screen protector for daily use. A positive aspect is that the inner screen remains shielded when the device is closed, reducing the risk of accidental damage. Additionally, scraping the phone’s outer edges caused the color coating to peel away.
Next, the dust resistance was put to the test. Google promotes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold as the first foldable smartphone to achieve an IP68 rating for both dust and water resistance. When Nelson poured sand onto the inner screen, it held up without issue, confirming its dust-proof capabilities. However, the hinge mechanism did not fare as well; audible grinding could be heard as particles became trapped inside, raising concerns about its long-term reliability in gritty conditions.
The most shocking segment was the bend test. Google has emphasized that the redesigned hinge is engineered to withstand a decade of normal folding. Yet, when Nelson applied pressure by folding the device backward, opposite to its intended use, it fractured along the antenna lines on the left side, not at the hinge itself. Nelson expressed frustration, noting he had previously advised Google to reposition these antenna lines to avoid such a weakness.
The situation escalated dangerously when Nelson continued to bend the already broken device. The battery suddenly failed, resulting in the phone smoking and essentially exploding on camera. “The battery decides it’s had enough. Surprisingly, in the decade that I’ve been durability testing phones, I have never had a smartphone explode before,” Nelson remarked. Despite one side being charred, he proceeded to test the remaining half, including the camera array.
It is crucial to remember that if any smartphone becomes visibly bent or damaged, you should discontinue use immediately and seek professional inspection to prevent potential hazards.
(Source: Android Central)
