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An up-close and personal look at a Galaxy Note 7 as it explodes

Published Oct 7th, 2016 9:43AM EDT
Note 7 Replacement Explodes
Image: Reuters

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Strength in other divisions at Samsung helped offset the financial hit the company took in the third quarter as a result of its unprecedented Galaxy Note 7 recall. But if a new claim pans out and a “safe” Note 7 issued as a replacement did in fact catch fire aboard an airplane earlier this week, Samsung’s initial recall might just be the beginning.

As we know all too well at this point, a major manufacturing defect has completely spoiled Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 launch over the past two months. The issue, which is believed to only have affected a small number of Note 7 devices, can cause the phone’s battery to overheat and explode. So far, Note 7 fires have injured people, destroyed cars and even burnt down one family’s house. Now, it’s time to get up-close and personal with an exploding Note 7 to see exactly what it looks like when Samsung’s flagship phablet explodes.

DON’T MISS: Some companies are threatening to fire workers who buy an iPhone 7

With all the news surrounding Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 debacle, researchers at the Applied Energy Hub battery laboratory in Singapore decided to examine exactly what happens when a Note 7 explodes. Why? Why not, apparently.

In a safe and controlled lab environment, the researchers applied pressure to the Galaxy Note 7’s battery. They continued to apply an increasing amount of pressure until finally, the phone burst into flames. While the test doesn’t simulate the exact conditions under which a defective Note 7 might combust, the result is the same: Smoke, then a huge ball of fire, then the charred remains of a one-beautiful smartphone.

Photos of the lab’s test, which were posted by The Telegraph, follow below. First, the phone begins to smoke:

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Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…

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Lots of fire…

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And finally, the charred remains:

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Again, this test was performed in a lab and outside pressure was applied to the battery. But unfortunately, this is also what happens when a defective Note 7 explodes on its own, and that’s why we recommend that no one should purchase a Galaxy Note 7 right now under any circumstances.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 15 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.