Pixel Fold durability is under fresh scrutiny after a teardown showed a Pixel 10 Pro Fold cracking at its hinge and the battery igniting during a bend test. Curious how a high-end $1,799 phone could fail like this? Keep reading to see what went wrong and what it means for future foldables.
What happened during JerryRigEverything’s bend and dust tests
Zack Nelson, known as JerryRigEverything, put the new Pixel Fold through tough tests. He first did a dust test. He covered the phone in dirt and small rocks. The phone seemed to handle the dust well. No major issues appeared after this part of the test.
The Bend Test Failure
Then came the bend test. This is where things went wrong for the Pixel Fold. Nelson tried to bend the phone backward. It snapped right at the hinge. This is a critical weak point for foldable phones. Even worse, the battery inside the phone caught fire. This happened because the bending damaged the battery. It was a shocking moment during the durability review. The phone’s screen also cracked badly. This test showed serious concerns about the phone’s build quality.
Why the battery exploded: thermal runaway and hinge weak points
When the Pixel Fold bent during the test, its battery got hurt. This damage can cause a serious problem called thermal runaway. Think of it like a chain reaction inside the battery. Once it starts, it’s hard to stop.
Thermal runaway happens when a battery gets too hot. This heat then makes the battery get even hotter, very fast. This quick heating can lead to fire or even an explosion. It’s a big safety concern for any device with a damaged battery.
Hinge Weak Points
The bend test also showed a major flaw in the phone’s hinge. The hinge is the part that lets the phone fold and unfold. For many foldable phones, this area can be a weak spot. When the Pixel Fold was bent backward, the hinge couldn’t handle the stress. It broke right at that point.
This break likely damaged the battery inside the phone. Lithium-ion batteries, like the one in the Pixel Fold, are sensitive. If they are punctured or crushed, they can easily catch fire. This is exactly why the battery ignited during the test. It raises questions about how strong the Pixel Fold’s design truly is.
Google’s durability claims, industry reactions and next steps
Google made big promises about the Pixel Fold durability. They said it was built tough. They used strong materials to make it. These claims were meant to make buyers feel safe about their expensive new phone. But the recent bend test raised serious questions about these promises.
Industry Reactions and Concerns
The tech world watched the bend test video closely. Many experts and users were surprised. Seeing the phone snap and the battery catch fire was alarming. This kind of failure can hurt trust in new foldable tech. Other phone makers might now look even harder at their own designs. They want to avoid similar problems. It shows that making a strong foldable phone is still a big challenge.
What Google Might Do Next
So, what happens now? Google will likely need to address these concerns. They might release a statement about the test. They could also look into improving the design of future Pixel Fold models. This could mean making the hinge stronger. Or, they might use different battery protection. The goal would be to make sure this doesn’t happen again. It’s a key moment for foldable phones and their future.
Fonte: Fortune.com
