The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is off to an explosive start (and not in a good way)

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has undergone a series of grueling assessments, revealing some shocking outcomes.

The newest high-end foldable from Google faced the traditional battery of durability tests conducted by the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, and the results were described as “catastrophic” by the host.

While the scratch tests revealed no surprises (with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover, an aluminum frame, and a surprisingly soft internal display), the device’s response to the bend test was alarming.

The video points out that Google seems to have overlooked the design faults present in the previous Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which buckled near the antenna line at the hinge under pressure. Unfortunately, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold exhibited a similar failure in the same area.

To make matters worse, when the host attempts to straighten the device for a second analysis, the battery begins to hiss and emit smoke, essentially exploding. This marks a first in a decade of videos on their channel.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold – Dust Resistance Issues

The claimed dust resistance of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold was also put under scrutiny. Despite being the first foldable device to achieve an IP68 rating, it seems to have fallen short during testing.

When grit was sprinkled onto the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s new hinge and manipulated, a disturbing grinding noise was produced, with the dust distinctly infiltrating the mechanism.

The presenter concluded, “I can confidently state that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold hinge is certainly not dust-proof,” a stance that’s hard to contest.

It’s essential to remember that these evaluations are at the extreme edge of usage scenarios. For those who own a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it’s very unlikely that they will face an explosion, nor will the device bend unless undue force is applied intentionally.

In our review of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the tester noted its “sturdy and confidence-inspiring” construction, mentioning that “The hinge has seen improvements, making it one of the best in the market.” However, it’s important to recognize that foldable phones are generally more fragile than conventional models, and users should approach with caution.