YouTuber and tech blogger @ZONEofTECH reported a dangerous incident with his Samsung Galaxy Ring. While boarding a flight, his smart ring began to swell right on his finger. The battery expanded so much that the device got stuck and caused severe pain.
The airline denied boarding due to the risk of a damaged lithium-ion battery. The user was forced to go to the hospital, where doctors removed the ring using ice and medical lubricant. Previous attempts with soap and cream only made the situation worse - the battery swelled even more.
Photos after removing the ring show the deformed interior. The blogger noted that even before the incident, the Galaxy Ring's battery life had dropped sharply — instead of the claimed seven days, the device only held a charge for a day and a half.
He suggested several possible causes: the heat in Hawaii during the Snapdragon Summit, numerous flights, a factory defect, or contact with salt water. He called seawater the most likely factor — despite IP68 and 10ATM, the Galaxy Ring is not protected from the corrosive effects of salt.
The titanium body of the ring doesn't give the battery room to expand, so the pressure is directed directly at the finger. This makes these cases especially dangerous, as even a small bulge can become a problem.
Samsung UK has responded to the incident and contacted the victim, saying "customer safety is our priority."
By the way, previously there were isolated reports on the network about the Galaxy Ring battery swelling, although the scale of the problem remains uncertain.