From shattered hinges to an exploding battery, Google’s latest foldable phone has found itself leading a list no brand wants to top.
Popular YouTuber JerryRigEverything, better known as Zack Nelson, is widely recognized for his extreme smartphone durability tests. When he got his hands on Google’s newest foldable, expectations were high for its “premium” design to prove its strength. Unfortunately, the results were far from impressive.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold bursts into flames during JerryRigEverything’s durability test
As usual, Zack began by running the Pixel 10 Pro Fold through his standard durability challenges to see how it performed under harsh treatment. The device already showed early signs of weakness, but things took a dramatic turn at the 7:30-minute mark, when smoke started seeping from its Lithium-ion battery.
Just moments later, around 7:54, the battery completely burned out, leaving the outer display charred and destroyed. The shocking incident was recorded live, sparking widespread debate in the tech community about Google’s foldable durability.
Zack observed excessive screen flexing and scratching when the Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) was marked even with a fingernail. Furthermore, Google’s claim that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first IP68-rated foldable fell apart during the dust and debris test. The hinge collected particles, emitted loud creaking noises, and eventually stopped closing completely.
Overall, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold turned out to be a major disappointment in durability. Zack even stated that this was the first smartphone to explode during his 14-year testing career.
Adding to the controversy, the foldable recently launched in India with a hefty price tag of ₹1,72,999. At such a premium price, customers naturally expect reliability—not catastrophic hardware issues. While Google has yet to release an official statement, the incident highlights a serious need for the company to improve the durability of its foldable lineup.
Especially when rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Vivo X Fold 5, and others have passed the same durability tests without any such failures.
