Pixel 10 Pro Fold becomes first smartphone to catch fire in durability test

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, unveiled by Google during its Made by Google event in August, was touted as a highly durable flagship device set to compete with Samsung's offerings. However, the phone's resilience was put to the ultimate test by renowned YouTuber Zack Nelson, known for his channel JerryRigEverything, where he meticulously assesses the robustness of smartphones. In his latest durability test, Nelson subjected the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to a series of rigorous evaluations, including scratch tests, flame exposure, material assessments, and a critical bend test. Unfortunately for Google, the results were alarming. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold not only struggled to withstand the tests but also made history by becoming the first smartphone to catch fire during a bending assessment. Nelson began the bend test by applying pressure to one end of the fully unfolded device, leading to a failure point around the antenna line—a vulnerability previously seen in earlier Pixel models. He expressed his disappointment, stating, "It’s an insult to tech enthusiasts everywhere to claim the Pixel 10 Fold is extremely durable while keeping the same antenna line locations that led to failures in past versions." Things escalated dramatically when Nelson attempted to bend the device in the opposite direction. This time, the battery could not handle the stress, resulting in a thermal reaction that caused it to ignite, releasing a significant amount of smoke and triggering nearby fire alarms. While such extreme conditions are unlikely to be experienced by everyday users, Nelson believes that these tests are crucial for evaluating a device's durability. Remarkably, he noted that no other smartphone, including Samsung's foldable models, had ever exhibited a fire during his extensive testing over the past decade. "In all my years of testing smartphones, I've never witnessed one explode like this, leading to a fire alarm," Nelson remarked, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this incident. As consumers await Google's response to this fiery revelation, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's durability claims are now under serious scrutiny.