Galaxy S24 explodes in user's hand causing burns, no apparent reason for now

Another case of an exploded smartphone has been reported, and this time it’s the Galaxy S24. The incident occurred in South Korea, and the unlucky user suffered some injuries. An investigation is underway, but for now, it is unclear why a seemingly normal and stock Galaxy S24 suddenly went up in flames.

The story was shared by Reddit user ‘chocho-789’ on the r/samsunggalaxy subreddit. The photos show a smartphone fully engulfed in flames and its aftermath. The user explained that the Galaxy S24 was purchased through Samsung Partners in South Korea on June 11, 2024. It had no drop damage, was never opened, and was not charging.

The phone was in the user’s hand when it suddenly started emitting smoke. “Then the lower part of the phone burst open with a loud popping sound, and the device actually jumped upward, hitting near my chin before falling to the floor,” described the user. The fire department confirmed that the incident was consistent with lithium battery ignition. The whole ordeal happened faster than the user could throw away the phone, and therefore suffered minor burn blisters.

As per the latest update from the user, a local Samsung service center has reached out and will likely collect the device for investigation. The user says they have not demanded any compensation and truly want Samsung to “recognize the seriousness of this incident and respond with transparency and sincerity.”

We will have to wait for Samsung to complete its investigation and inform the user about what caused the explosion. This isn’t the first instance of a Samsung phone exploding. Back in October of last year, a Galaxy S25 Plus started overheating under normal use to the point where it started popping and smoking, followed by flames when it hit the ground. These incidents are widespread, as in the same month, a Pixel 10 Pro Fold exploded during JerryRigEverything’s durability test, a first for his channel.