Google's new foldable smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has been in the spotlight after a video by popular blogger JerryRigEverything showed the device's battery swelling, overheating, and smoking during a bend test, setting off a fire alarm. The phone completely burned out.
The blogger explained that the test was extreme: he first broke the smartphone by bending it backwards in its unfolded state, and then continued to press, folding the screen inside out. At that moment, the battery exploded.
"In ten years of testing, this is the first time I've seen a smartphone explode," the blogger noted.
Google has yet to comment on the incident, but this isn't the first time the Pixel lineup has had battery issues. The company has previously released updates for the Pixel 6a and Pixel 4a to reduce the risk of overheating and improve battery stability.
However, iFixit teardown expert Elizabeth Chamberlain told The Verge that such cases do not necessarily indicate a design defect. "Thermal overclocking" is a risk inherent in lithium-ion batteries that can occur when the insulating layers are damaged. She also reminded that it is advisable to discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling, while most new devices come with a charge of more than 60%.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also failed the dust resistance test: despite the claimed IP68 standard, dust deposited in the hinge caused an unpleasant "crunch" when opening and closing. This looks especially unfortunate given Google's claims of "the most durable foldable smartphone."
Although the incident occurred under unrealistic conditions, it has already sparked a wave of discussion about the reliability of Google's new foldable device and could affect its perception among buyers.