Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Catastrophically Fails Bend Test, Ends Up a Charred Mess

[xeiteu]

I appreciate the tests with regards to my “need to know more about random stuff” brain, but at the same time, I have to question how a normal user would encounter situations like some of the tests unless they were completely clueless or careless.

You mean to say you dont regularly apply fire to your phone's screen?

I get that its more 'entertainment' focused but with even a slight bit more effort he could at least put some real numbers behind the bend test. Otherwise the scratch test is imo the only one that holds any worth.

 

[kalafalas]

This is genuinely a huge deal, and should result in a complete recall. If you leave this phone flat open on the couch and sit on it, it could explode.

It’s basic that they should make sure the weak points in the enclosure do not line up with the battery cells, in the event of the device being sat on or bent or whatever.

Google dropped the ball, and it is a genuine safety issue.

 

[klasma]

I gather the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a vapor chamber.

 

[kalafalas]

What did he expect? Try doing a reverse bend test with your knee and see what happens. A pointless video pointing out what everyone already knows; if you subject something to abuse, it will fail.

Except he does this exact test to every other phone, and it did not fail in the same way. Manufacturers should make sure the battery cell pops out flat in the event of the device being bent, to prevent injury. Most do. Apparently google did not this time.

 

[Celtic-moniker]

I appreciate the tests with regards to my “need to know more about random stuff” brain, but at the same time, I have to question how a normal user would encounter situations like some of the tests unless they were completely clueless or careless.

Maybe. But maybe not. Devices like these are often handed to children to play videos and games to help keep them entertained. I have watched an 18month old grab two ends of an iPad with their hands and push against the screen with their feet in a moment of absent attention from a parent. I have seen kids throw their parent’s phone across a room as soon as they got bored of whatever video was playing.

The idea that “well you wouldn’t do that” being the rationale that these videos have no value is more subjective than the videos themselves.

It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see how this kind of test applies in the real world.

 

[Celtic-moniker]

Does Jerry (Zach) do things to phone that users would never do…yes. Does he have a disdain for Apple…yes. Does he put every device through the same “tests” and breakdowns…yes.
Did the Pixel Pro 10 Fold fail the exact same “tests” and breakdown…yes…miserably.
Doesn’t matter if a regular customer would ever do this to a device…what matters is that this device failed…miserably…where others have not.

Same tests…. Well sort of. Check out the lengths he went to to try and bend the iphone 17 air. Few devices get that level of destruction.

 

[t.linn]

I was already out when he was damaging the screen with a fingernail. No way. That said, regardless of how unlikely, I wouldn't buy the first ever phone to burst into flames from a test that has been ongoing for over a decade. The whole thing looks flimsy as hell.

 

[Sydnxt]

im confused about this device. it was announced in august, but came out in october?

Somebody wasn’t around for the iPhone X.

 

[Rradcircless]

I hope it’s not too late for the five people who bought this to get a return!

 

[captrlp]

Same tests…. Well sort of. Check out the lengths he went to to try and bend the iphone 17 air. Few devices get that level of destruction.

No doubt. As I mentioned, he has a disdain for Apple and makes no attempt to hide it…and it shows in his iPhone videos!

 

[HappyMBAowner]

not very scientific...perform these tests on any phone from any company... they will end up in a mess.

 

[maika1305]

* pretends to be shocked *
* inserts pikachu face *

 

[tazinlwfl]

Lotta upset droids. Where there’s smoke…

 

[DDustiNN]

not very scientific...perform these tests on any phone from any company... they will end up in a mess.

…You sure about that?

 

[Plutonius]

I'm looking forward to this test when Apple finally releases a foldable.

If it fails, I can see Apple's excuse that "you folded it wrong" .

 

[jctevere]

"Nelson bent the smartphone backward in a way unlikely to occur in normal use..."

That says everything. This is nothing more than clickbait

Edit: Surprise surprise. He's good buddies with the King of Apple Angst - Louis Rossmann. I knew I'd seen this clickbaity garbage online somewhere before.

Tell me you don’t have kids, without actually telling me you don’t have kids…

 

[nfl46]

Ohhhh Google. This isn't a good look.

 

[Tdude96]

iFixit told The Verge that while the battery fire is dramatic, it's "not necessarily a sign that something is wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold design." The battery does not appear to have been discharged before the bend test, and iFixit said that short circuits can happen if you break the insulating layers of a battery. Google has not yet responded to the incident.

So it's perfectly fine and safe, as long as you don't charge it. Good to know, iFixit.

 

[grandchester]

Does Jerry (Zach) do things to phone that users would never do…yes. Does he have a disdain for Apple…yes. Does he put every device through the same “tests” and breakdowns…yes.
Did the Pixel Pro 10 Fold fail the exact same “tests” and breakdown…yes…miserably.
Doesn’t matter if a regular customer would ever do this to a device…what matters is that this device failed…miserably…where others have not.

Disdain for Apple? I feel his criticisms are fair, and he praises them (and anyone else) who make efforts to improve durability and repairability. I feel he is inline with other Youtube channels like iFixit as far as fairness is concerned. I think he called Apple fans sheep once and everyone got butt-hurt about it. Dude seems like a good guy and has a great channel (especially outside his durability tests).

 

[kwikdeth]

how a normal user would encounter situations like some of the tests unless they were completely clueless or careless.

 

[Takeo]

How has this dude never accidentally sliced his thumb open with that stupid x-acto knife?

 

[Arran]

How has this dude never accidentally sliced his thumb open with that stupid x-acto knife?

I was more concerned by the butane lighter he tossed the flaming phone beside. And then left it sitting there for the remainder of the video.

Oblivious.

 

[mevans7]

This video hurt my heart.

 

[NordicNed]

I hope he realizes all his gear is toast. Lithium batteries release hydrogen fluoride gas and it is corrosive to electronics. The camera above the phone is a total loss. Probably most of the studio lights as well. Fluoric acid coats the wiring and over time corrodes the works, which means it can trigger fire number 2. And yes I know of which I speak to the tune of 6 figures. Lithium battery fires are the worst.

 

[sdz]

Why do people want to fold their phones again?