Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Catches Fire During Extreme Bend Test — WATCH

Google may be facing yet another battery-related issue, this time involving the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold. YouTuber, also known as Zack Nelson, released a video showcasing his usual durability tests on the foldable device. During the bend test—conducted after Nelson had already forcibly opened the phone—the battery expanded, overheated, and emitted smoke, which triggered a nearby fire alarm, ultimately leaving the phone severely damaged.

Nelson subjected the phone to extraordinary stress, bending it backwards while fully unfolded, then applying force that essentially folded the screen behind itself. Although this is an unlikely scenario for typical users, Nelson noted that even under these extreme conditions, the battery’s reaction was highly unusual. “Surprisingly, in the decade that I’ve been durability-testing phones, I have never had a smartphone explode before,” Nelson said. “The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first phone to go up in smoke.” He also highlighted that this was the first time in ten years of testing that a phone failed so dramatically that it set off a fire alarm.

Google has yet to respond to requests for comment. This incident follows previous battery issues with Google’s devices earlier this year, including updates to the Pixel 6A and Pixel 4A aimed at addressing battery overheating risks.

Elizabeth Chamberlain of iFixit explained to The Verge that “the possibility of thermal runaway is just a reality of Li-ion batteries,” suggesting the battery fire was likely caused by a local short circuit triggered when the phone was forcibly opened without discharging the battery first. She added, “We usually recommend discharging a battery below 25%, but with the extreme stresses Zack places on devices, that may even be too high.” Chamberlain further noted that damaging the insulating layers of the battery can lead to thermal runaway, referencing similar cases of battery fires documented by iFixit.

In addition to the battery test, Nelson also evaluated the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 dust resistance. Despite Google marketing it as its “most durable foldable yet” with a gearless hinge design, Nelson poured dust onto the hinge and operated the phone. The result was unpleasant crunching noises as dust got stuck inside, which Nelson called “kind of embarrassing.”