Overview
- During JerryRigEverything’s bend test, the phone snapped at a recurring antenna-line weak point near the hinge before emitting smoke and flames.
- Sand introduced to the hinge produced grinding noises despite the phone’s IP68 billing, casting doubt on the hinge’s dust protection.
- Host Zack Nelson says this is the first smartphone to ignite in his decade of performing the same durability procedures.
- iFixit cautions that compressing or puncturing a charged lithium‑ion cell can trigger thermal runaway and recommends discharging batteries before teardown.
- Google has not commented as coverage spreads, and the episode is raising safety and durability concerns that could influence purchase decisions.