Update | Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S goes up in flames but manufacturer attributes it to "customer induced damage"
Update November 28: A Xiaomi spokesperson has contacted Notebookcheck with an update of the statement already published in this news item. This latest version now ends with the line: "In this particular case, after careful examination, it was concluded that the damage was caused due to external force, and thus, classified under 'customer induced damage', as agreed to by the concerned user." So it seems this specific incident has now been resolved between Xiaomi and the Redmi Note 7S owner.
There have been plenty of reports over the years of a variety of smartphones bursting into flames, with some being attributed to individual users and others being caused by faulty parts. The latest in a long line of explosive episodes involved a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S. The Redmi Note 7S is the Indian market version of the versatile Redmi Note 7, which features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC and a 4,000 mAh battery with fast-charging capability.
The Redmi Note 7S user in this case, Ishwar Chavhan from Mumbai, India, stated that he had only recently bought the device and had used it without issue. However, the smartphone caught on fire while on a workplace table, and it can be seen in the photos (see below) just how much catastrophic damage was caused by the unexpected meltdown.
Chavhan believes there was a manufacturing issue, and he claims he was informed by Xiaomi representatives that it was a faulty battery that caused his Redmi Note 7S to catch on fire. The Chinese manufacturer later issued the following statement when asked about the incident:
At Xiaomi, quality of our products is of utmost importance. The trust that Mi Fans have shown in the brand for the past 5 years is a testament to that. We also take pride in having one of the strongest after-sales networks in the country with an aim to solve customer issues seamlessly. In this particular case, after careful examination, it was concluded that the damage was caused due to external force, and thus, classified under ‘customer induced damage.’
What the “external force” was that caused the Redmi Note 7S to catch fire hasn’t yet been mentioned, but looking at the results of the fire suggests it would have had to be something both extreme and obviously noticeable. Chavhan has said he was neither charging the phone at the time nor had dropped it, so the cause appears to be a mystery for the time being.