A growing number of Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL owners are flagging an unusual issue: the phone’s LED flashlight can reportedly generate enough heat during extended use to damage the protective glass covering the light. According to multiple posts shared by users on Reddit over the past few months, the flashlight lens can develop a darker, scorched-looking spot in the center after prolonged use. Once that happens, the flashlight may appear noticeably dimmer.
What’s raising eyebrows is how hot the area can allegedly get. In at least one reported case, a Pixel 10 Pro XL placed on a laptop’s palm rest with the flashlight turned on became hot enough to burn the surface. While LED flashlights on smartphones naturally warm up, most modern devices include safety controls that reduce brightness or shut the flashlight off if temperatures climb too high. The complaints suggest that this thermal protection may not always kick in reliably on the Pixel 10 Pro series, at least for some users.
If you own a Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL, the safest approach is simple: avoid leaving the flashlight on when the phone is set down on a surface, tucked into a pocket, or placed face-up against materials that can trap heat. Turning the flashlight off before putting the device down may help prevent excessive heat buildup around the lens.
It’s also worth noting that a slightly darker center in the flashlight area can be normal, since the LED can sometimes be faintly visible through the front glass depending on lighting and angles. However, users describing this issue say the affected lens looks significantly darker than normal—more like a burned mark than a mild shading difference.
So far, there has been no official statement addressing these reports. Based on the limited number of posts compared to overall Pixel ownership, the problem doesn’t appear to be widespread—but for anyone who relies heavily on the flashlight, it’s something to keep in mind, especially during long sessions or when the phone is resting against other objects.
