Samsung Phones are Blowing Up – Here’s Why

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been collecting every Samsung flagship since 2010. Recently, while preparing a video showcasing these devices, I noticed a disturbing trend. My Galaxy Note 8 from 2017 had blown up – the battery had expanded so much that it cracked the glass and apple ipad supports split the phone in two. Initially, I thought it was an isolated incident until I discovered similar issues with my Galaxy S6 from 2015 and Galaxy S10 from 2019. The batteries had expanded, damaging the phones. None of my other branded phones had this issue, which led me to investigate further.

All the affected Samsung phones had been powered down and rarely used. They were stored in the same environment as other phones, which remained unaffected. I hypothesized that a recent heat wave in the UK might have exacerbated the issue, making Samsung phones more susceptible to temperature changes.

I tweeted about my findings, and Samsung quickly responded, requesting to collect the phones for analysis. Despite my reluctance, I handed them over, hoping for answers. However, over 50 days passed without any updates from Samsung, leaving me frustrated and in the dark.

The problem turned out to be more widespread than I initially thought. Matt from the “This Is” channel experienced the same issue with every three-plus-year-old Samsung device in his collection, regardless of storage conditions. This revelation made me recheck my collection, and I found more casualties, including my Galaxy S8, Galaxy S10e, and Galaxy S10 5G – the latter being a one-of-a-kind device gifted by Samsung. Even my Galaxy Z Fold2, which had minimal use, showed signs of impending battery expansion.

I reached out to other tech experts, including Marquez from MKBHD, who confirmed similar experiences. Only Samsung phones in their collections had swollen batteries, suggesting a specific issue with Samsung’s battery quality control.

Historically, Samsung has had battery stability issues, notably with the Galaxy Note 7, which was infamous for exploding batteries and was fully recalled. While Samsung seemed to have resolved the problem in newer models, the recent discoveries suggested otherwise. The electrolyte within the battery, essential for its stability, appeared to be decomposing and releasing gas, causing the batteries to swell.

Zach from JerryRigEverything, who disassembles phones professionally, explained that the electrolyte’s decomposition could lead to thermal runaway if the battery is charged again, posing serious risks. Zach even punctured some swollen batteries, finding that while they had protection mechanisms to prevent explosions, charging them could still be dangerous.

The situation became more alarming when I noticed my Galaxy S20 FE also showed signs of battery swelling. This phone was only two years old and had been stored at room temperature. The battery label indicated it should last five years, yet it failed much sooner.

iFixit.com warns that swollen lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode, emphasizing the severe risks involved. Exploding phones can cause serious injuries or even fatalities. Given the potential danger, I had to purchase fireproof sleeves to safely dispose of the affected devices.

Upon consulting other tech journalists and YouTubers, opinions varied. Some had experienced similar issues with other brands, but a significant number confirmed the problem was predominantly with Samsung devices. This suggested a systemic issue with Samsung’s battery quality control.

While battery swelling can occur in any device, the frequency and severity in Samsung phones are concerning. However, users don’t need to panic just yet. The issue is more likely to occur in phones left unused for long periods. To mitigate the risk, it’s advisable to store phones at around 50% battery charge rather than letting them drain completely.

In conclusion, while Samsung’s battery issue is serious, it’s more prevalent in older models and can be managed with proper storage practices. The tech community continues to monitor the situation, and further insights from users and experts will help understand the full extent of the problem.