Pixel 10 Pro Fold Fails Durability Test, Not Dustproof

Key Takeaways

1. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold fails the durability test, catching fire after a bend test, similar to previous models.
2. The design flaw from earlier models, specifically the antenna placement near the hinge, remains unchanged in the new version.
3. The IP68 rating claimed by Google may only apply to the display, as the hinge is not dustproof, contrary to expectations.
4. The durability tester expresses disappointment in the lack of improvements regarding the device’s vulnerabilities.
5. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold experiences a rare battery explosion during testing, highlighting significant flaws compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

We don’t often come across situations like this nowadays, especially since the recall of the notorious Samsung Galaxy Note 7. In the recent durability assessment by JerryRigEverything, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold catches fire shortly after failing the bend test in the same area where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Pixel Fold struggled back in 2023.

Anticipation of Failure

Zack Nelson, the tester, was aware that the outcome of this test would be grim right after he took it out of the box. The major flaw from the previous models, specifically the antennas positioned near the hinge, remains unchanged in Google’s third-generation foldable. At the 6:30 mark in the video linked below, the bend test quickly leads to severe damage when he attempts to bend it against the fold.

Critique of Durability

Before that, the experienced durability tester expresses his discontent with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Google’s stated and only IP68 rating might only apply to the display, but it doesn’t extend to the hinge. Just like foldables from Samsung, Honor, and other companies, the hinge fails to be dustproof in reality. When it encounters dirt, a grinding noise can be heard coming from the “dustproof” hinge of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. One must question how this foldable can legitimately claim an IP68 rating.

Battery Issues and Disappointment

Returning to the battery explosion and the significant failure during the durability test, the YouTuber is genuinely shocked that Google promotes a sturdier frame for its latest foldable. In truth, there has been no improvement regarding the vulnerabilities seen in previous models. With the first battery explosion noted in 10 years of durability evaluations, Google has really topped off its list of foldable mishaps. This is even more disheartening, especially since the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (priced from $1,699 on Amazon) passed JerryRigEverything’s bend test without any problems, despite having a much thinner design.

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