A Canadian user claims their Google Pixel 8 randomly burst into flames last week

A Google Pixel 8 owner in Canada has reported a shocking incident involving their device. They say it spontaneously burst into flames last week. The user took to the Rogers subreddit (purchased from the carrier) to share their story, posting a photo of the charred remains of their device.

According to their post (via MobileSyrup) the phone was not in use or charging when it suddenly caught fire, leaving it so badly damaged that the exact model is hard to identify. The case had even melted onto the handset, highlighting the intensity of the blaze.

After the incident, the user reached out to Rogers and the warranty provider for support. They were offered a replacement Pixel 8, but understandably, they are not eager to accept it. “Don’t want a Google Pixel again for obvious reasons” they stated, expressing frustration over the lack of alternative solutions. Rogers and the warranty provider have not yet made any public statements about the situation.

The cause of the fire remains a mystery, though many suspect a battery defect could be to blame. Smartphone fires are rare, but they can happen due to manufacturing issues, physical damage, or improper charging.

What makes this case unusual is that the phone was idle at the time, pointing more toward a flaw in the device itself. One user on the GooglePixel subreddit had previously reported that their Pixel 8 Pro had melted a charger, while another said their device hit a scorching 47.3 degrees Celsius. 

It’s a widely known fact that Google Pixel phones tend to get toasty when using the hotspot or even during casual gaming. I’ve been in the same situation on several occasions where my Pixel 8 gets strangely warm even while scrolling through Instagram Reels. However, this tends to happen only when the ambient room temperature is also high. But it is still an oddity because other smartphones don’t get as hot with the same usage.

Looking back, there have been a few similar incidents with other phones in recent years. The Pixel 6 series had some reports of overheating and even catching fire, but nothing widespread has been noted with the Pixel 8. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco in 2016 comes to mind, though that was a much larger issue tied to defective batteries, leading to a global recall. Thankfully, the Pixel 8 does not seem to have a problem on that scale.

More recently, a video went viral on TikTok and Instagram where CCTV footage showed a phone bursting into flames in a woman’s pocket in Brazil. The phone here was the Motorola Moto E32 that was recently purchased.

In mid-2024, we did see reports about Google planning to introduce a feature that would teach users how to properly deal with a phone that’s overheating. However, it’s unclear what happened with those plans.

That said, for Pixel 8 owners, this news might sound alarming, but there is no need to lose sleep over it. These incidents appear to be rare, and most users have not faced any trouble. Still, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your phone for unusual heat and stick to safe charging habits, like using the right charger and avoiding overexposure to heat. Also, don’t keep your phone under your pillow when sleeping. Stay safe out there!