CMF Phone 1 explosion in India claims life of school principal riding motorcycle

Over the years, reports of smartphones exploding due to battery malfunctions have surfaced worldwide, sometimes with dire consequences. Incidents like the infamous Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall in 2016 and various cases involving third-party chargers have given us a taste of the dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries overheating. While such occurrences are rare, they have occasionally turned fatal, as seen recently in the state of Maharashtra, India.

In a tragic event, a CMF Phone 1 (read our review here) reportedly exploded in the pocket of a 55-year-old school principal, Suresh Sangrame, while he was riding his motorcycle. The explosion allegedly caused him to lose control of the bike, leading to fatal injuries. His 56-year-old companion, Nathu Gaikwad, who was riding pillion, also fell off the bike and sustained injuries but thankfully survived.

The incident occurred near Sangadi in Maharashtra, where Sangrame was using a one-month-old CMF Phone 1. ABP Majha reports that the explosion severely burned Sangrame, who succumbed to his injuries despite immediate medical attention.

The CMF Phone 1, a budget smartphone released earlier this year by CMF (a sub-brand of Nothing), comes with a 5000mAh lithium-ion battery—a solid feature among affordable smartphones for extended usage. While lithium-ion batteries are reliable under normal circumstances, they are equally susceptible to thermal runaway as well.

Globally, similar incidents have been attributed to issues such as using unofficial chargers, defective manufacturing, or overheating due to environmental factors. In higher temperatures, prolonged exposure to heat and charging habits may exacerbate such risks. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion to determine whether the battery overheated due to improper handling, a charger issue, or a rare manufacturing defect. Also, there's a chance that the CMF Phone 1 may now face increased scrutiny over battery safety protocols, especially in India.