During a routine bend test of the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, renowned YouTube reviewer JerryRigEverything (Zach Nelson) unexpectedly reported the first battery rupture and fire in his decade-long review career.
During the test, the device was damaged on the first bend. A second, reverse bend (a force application highly unlikely in daily use) caused a short circuit in the battery and ignited, engulfing the studio in smoke. Nelson emphasized that this was the first time he had ever tested a mainstream smartphone to trigger a fire alarm. The device was ultimately charred and damaged, and he specifically warned users not to put the unfolded phone in their pockets.
Nelson noted that Google's foldable phones of the past three years have all had antenna routing design flaws, which can easily compress the multi-layered battery structure during bending, causing short circuits. However, repair organization iFixit believes that the battery's failure to discharge and damage to the insulation layer before testing may be the primary cause, and not necessarily a design flaw.
It is worth noting that Google has addressed battery issues several times this year, including issuing an update for the Pixel 6A regarding overheating risks, but has yet to receive an official response to this incident. This incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of foldable devices.
