As a tech enthusiast, I've been amassing every Samsung flagship considering the fact that 2010. Recently, whilst making ready a video showcasing these contraptions, I noticed a tense fashion. My Galaxy Note 8 from 2017 had blown up – the battery had accelerated quite a bit that it cracked the glass and split the cell in two. Initially, I concept it became an isolated incident until eventually I located an identical points with my Galaxy S6 from 2015 and Galaxy S10 from 2019. The batteries had extended, unfavourable the phones. None of my different branded telephones had this obstacle, which led me to analyze added.
All the affected Samsung phones have been powered down and seldom used. They had been stored inside the related environment as different telephones, which remained unaffected. I hypothesized that a fresh warmness wave within the UK would possibly have exacerbated the difficulty, making Samsung phones extra vulnerable to temperature alterations.
I tweeted about my findings, and Samsung immediately answered, asking for to assemble the phones for diagnosis. Despite my reluctance, I passed them over, hoping for solutions. However, over 50 days surpassed without any updates from Samsung, leaving me annoyed and within the darkish.
The worry became out to be more well-known than I firstly suggestion. Matt from the "This Is" channel skilled the similar difficulty with each three-plus-12 months-old Samsung system in his selection, without reference to storage stipulations. This revelation made me recheck my selection, and I determined more casualties, consisting of my Galaxy S8, Galaxy S10e, and Galaxy S10 5G – the latter being a one-of-a-style software proficient via Samsung. Even my Galaxy Z Fold2, which had minimum use, showed signs and symptoms of forthcoming battery expansion.
I reached out to other tech experts, inclusive of Marquez from MKBHD, who demonstrated related reviews. Only Samsung phones of their collections had swollen batteries, suggesting a selected trouble with Samsung's battery high-quality control.
Historically, Samsung has had battery stability trouble, exceptionally with the Galaxy Note 7, which changed into infamous for exploding batteries and was once absolutely recalled. While Samsung appeared to have resolved the hindrance in more recent types, the latest discoveries cautioned in any other case. The electrolyte in the battery, foremost for its steadiness, appeared to be decomposing and releasing gas, causing the batteries to swell.
Zach from JerryRigEverything, who disassembles phones professionally, defined that the electrolyte’s decomposition ought to end in thermal runaway if the battery is charged lower back, posing extreme dangers. Zach even punctured a few swollen batteries, searching that at the same time as that they had safe practices mechanisms to hinder explosions, charging them may well nonetheless be harmful.
The difficulty was more alarming after I saw my Galaxy S20 FE additionally showed indications of battery swelling. This phone changed into purely two years historical and have been stored at room temperature. The battery label indicated Phone repair Nundah it may want to ultimate five years, but it failed so much faster.
iFixit.com warns that swollen lithium-ion batteries can trap hearth or explode, emphasizing the severe hazards worried. Exploding phones can motive serious injuries or maybe fatalities. Given the possible threat, I needed to purchase fireproof sleeves to securely cast off the affected units.
Upon consulting other tech newshounds and YouTubers, critiques varied. Some had skilled related worries with other manufacturers, but a remarkable variety proven the hardship used to be predominantly with Samsung contraptions. This recommended a systemic thing with Samsung’s battery excellent control.
While battery swelling can show up in any tool, the frequency and severity in Samsung phones are touching on. However, clients don’t want to panic just but. The aspect is more likely to appear in telephones left unused for lengthy periods. To mitigate the hazard, it be advisable to save phones at round 50% battery cost rather than allowing them to drain exclusively.
