Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Fails Bend Test, Says JerryRigEverything
▼ Summary
– A YouTuber’s durability test caused the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s battery to overheat, emit smoke, and catch fire during an extreme bend test.
– The battery failure occurred under extraordinary stress when the phone was folded backwards after being broken open, a scenario unlikely in normal use.
– The tester noted this was the first time in a decade of testing that a smartphone exploded during his durability tests.
– An iFixit expert suggested the fire was likely due to thermal runaway from damaging a charged lithium-ion battery, not a design flaw.
– The phone’s dust resistance was also tested, with dust causing audible damage to the hinge despite Google’s durability claims.
Google’s latest foldable smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has come under intense scrutiny after a dramatic durability test resulted in the device’s battery catching fire and emitting smoke. The incident occurred during a video review by popular YouTuber Zack Nelson, known online as JerryRigEverything, who subjects mobile devices to extreme stress tests. While conducting his signature bend test on the fully unfolded handset, Nelson applied substantial pressure that ultimately caused the battery to expand, overheat, and produce enough smoke to trigger a fire alarm in his workspace.
It’s important to recognize that Nelson’s testing methodology involves applying forces far beyond what any typical user would encounter. The battery failure occurred only after he had already physically broken the phone’s structure by bending it backward while unfolded, then applying additional stress to the damaged area. This specific scenario essentially folded the display behind itself, creating conditions that would never happen during normal daily use.
What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is Nelson’s observation that this marks the first time in his decade-long career of testing smartphone durability that a device has actually exploded during his evaluation process. He emphasized that while his tests are intentionally extreme, he has subjected every major smartphone released over the past ten years to identical procedures without witnessing such a catastrophic failure. The fact that the incident set off his fire alarm underscores the severity of the battery’s reaction.
Industry experts have provided context for this dramatic failure. Elizabeth Chamberlain from iFixit commented that while the battery fire was certainly dramatic, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a fundamental flaw in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s design. She explained that thermal runaway remains an inherent risk with lithium-ion batteries, particularly when they sustain physical damage. Chamberlain suggested that Nelson likely didn’t discharge the battery sufficiently before beginning his teardown, noting that most new smartphones ship with over 60% charge, whereas experts typically recommend reducing charge levels below 25% before performing such invasive procedures.
The thermal runaway phenomenon occurs when a local short circuit develops after damaging the insulating layers within the battery’s jelly roll-style construction. This can lead to rapid temperature increases and potentially cause the battery to ignite. Chamberlain referenced additional educational materials from iFixit that detail how and why batteries can catch fire under certain conditions.
Beyond the battery incident, Nelson also tested the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 dust resistance rating, which Google has promoted as making this their most durable foldable device to date. The company specifically highlighted the benefits of the phone’s gearless hinge design. However, when Nelson poured dust directly onto the hinge mechanism and repeatedly opened and closed the device, the results were concerning. Audible crunching sounds indicated that particles were becoming trapped inside the mechanism, prompting Nelson to describe the outcome as “kind of embarrassing” for a device marketed with such robust durability claims.
(Source: The Verge)
