KKN Gurugram Desk | In a remarkable testimony to smartphone durability, a Reddit user recently shared a video revealing that their Google Pixel 8 phone continued to function after being submerged in hot water (45°C) for four days. This unusual survival story has triggered widespread attention in the tech community and added a new layer to the conversation around waterproofing standards in modern smartphones.

A Vacation Mishap Turns into a Durability Test for Pixel 8

The incident took place in Poland, where the Reddit user, during a four-day holiday getaway with friends, accidentally dropped their Google Pixel 8 into a hot tub at their Airbnb accommodation. Due to the influence of alcohol, the user didn’t immediately realize the phone was missing. Despite team-wide searches, the device remained undiscovered for the entire duration of the stay.

According to the user’s account, they assumed the phone was lost permanently.

 How the Phone Was Found

On the fifth day, the Airbnb host sent a video, showing maintenance staff cleaning the hot tub. To everyone’s surprise, the Pixel 8 was spotted at the bottom of the tub, which had maintained a temperature of approximately 45°C (113°F) throughout their stay.

 Phone Restarts Without Issue After Charging

The user wrote that they were almost certain the phone had been completely destroyed by water damage. However, upon returning home, they decided to plug it in. After a brief charging period, the Google Pixel 8 booted up normally without showing any signs of malfunction.

“I’m never buying anything but Pixel again,” the user wrote in their viral post.

 Waterproof Ratings vs. Real-World Use

While several premium smartphones come with IP68 water and dust resistance ratings, these are typically designed to withstand submersion in freshwater for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters. However, hot water, prolonged exposure, and chemical-treated water (like in hot tubs) usually void warranty claims and exceed lab conditions.

The Pixel 8 surviving under these conditions has shocked many users and raised discussions about the practical durability of Google’s flagship device.

 Google Pixel 8: Specifications and Current Pricing

The Pixel 8 was launched in India in two storage variants, and while its launch price placed it among the premium flagships, discounts have now made it more accessible.

 Pricing (As of May 2025):

• 8GB + 128GB Variant: ₹75,999 at launch → Now ₹44,999

• 8GB + 256GB Variant: ₹82,999 at launch → Now ₹47,999

You can currently purchase these models via Flipkart and authorized retailers across India.

 Pixel 8 Display and Design

• Screen: 6.2-inch OLED

• Resolution: Full HD+

• Refresh Rate: 90Hz

• Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

• Design: Sleek metal frame with matte finish and symmetrical bezels

The Pixel 8’s design is minimalist yet functional, retaining the iconic horizontal camera bar at the back. The display delivers vivid colors, deep blacks, and fluid animations, ideal for both casual and professional use.

 Performance: Powered by Google Tensor G3 Chipset

The phone is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chipset, built specifically to support AI features and optimize Pixel-exclusive capabilities.

• Security: Titan M2 Security Chip

• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5

• Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1

• Software: Android 14 (with 7 years of OS updates promised)

• Performance: Snappy UI transitions, seamless app switching, and efficient power consumption

The Tensor G3 also enhances on-device AI features like voice typing, language translation, and image editing tools.

Camera Capabilities: Intelligent Photography

The Pixel 8 continues Google’s tradition of leading computational photography.

 Rear Camera Setup:

• 50MP Primary Camera: Samsung GN2 sensor with OIS

• 12MP Ultra-wide Camera: Autofocus, macro support

 Front Camera:

• 10.5MP Selfie Camera with 4K video support

The phone includes features like:

• Magic Eraser for object removal

• Best Take for perfect group shots

• Photo Unblur

• Real Tone for accurate skin tone representation

• Night Sight and Super Res Zoom

 Battery and Charging

• Battery Capacity: 4575mAh

• Wired Charging: 27W USB Type-C

• Wireless Charging: Supported (Qi-compatible)

• Battery Backup: Full-day usage under mixed conditions (5-6 hours screen time)

Google claims over 72 hours battery life with Extreme Battery Saver mode, and the real-world tests show excellent optimization.

 Connectivity and Sensors

Pixel 8 is well-equipped for modern connectivity needs:

• 5G / 4G LTE / Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3

• GPS, NFC, USB Type-C (3.2)

• Face Unlock + Under-display Optical Fingerprint Sensor

• Sensors: Accelerometer, Barometer, Magnetometer, Proximity, Ambient Light, Gyroscope

Why This Incident Matters: A Real-World Proof of Durability

The hot water survival story isn’t a marketing stunt—it showcases how real-world durability can sometimes exceed lab promises. While the Pixel 8 is not officially certified for such prolonged exposure to high-temperature water, its sealed architecture and build quality helped prevent critical failure.

This is especially noteworthy because most water-resistance tests are done in room-temperature freshwater, and do not account for thermal stress or chlorinated water exposure.

 Community Reaction and Brand Loyalty

Following the post, tech forums have been abuzz with conversations praising Google’s hardware reliability. Several users shared their own stories of Pixel devices surviving drops, accidental washing machine cycles, and more.

The original Reddit post has now gained thousands of upvotes, with users declaring their intent to switch to Pixel after witnessing such reliabilit