Galaxy S25 Plus bursts into flames while not charging: Samsung investigates cause of overheating

Samsung is investigating a fire incident involving a Galaxy S25 Plus in South Korea. The smartphone was unplugged and not charging.

The owner posted about their damaged phone on Samsung’s official community forum. They claimed the device started overheating even though it was under normal operation. The phone made a popping sound, and smoke became visible. It burst into flames on dropping to the floor.

The charred remains of the Galaxy S25 Plus have been received by Samsung. The owner claimed they got first-degree burns on their fingers. However, the smartphone sustained visible damage to its screen and frame.

What makes this case unusual

The culprit when phones catch fire is often a surge in current or overheating caused by using substandard charging cables. However, the not connected, implying the problem was internal. Samsung may need to investigate the battery management system (BMS), thermal design, or the chipset heat output.

Speaking of the chipset, the Galaxy S25 Plus uses either the Exynos 2500 or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, both of which are based on advanced 3 nm process nodes. However, there have been reports of the two semiconductors getting hot while gaming or when the camera is in heavy use.

Samsung’s response and next steps

The smartphone maker has not made an official statement on the fire incident. However, the owner confirmed that they have received a refund from Samsung on the phone.

Samsung’s investigation continues, and the fire could turn out to be an isolated event. However, smartphone users can take extra precautions by avoiding covering their devices during heavy or extended gaming and charging sessions. They should also use only certified chargers and cables.