Samsung is under scrutiny following reports of Galaxy S-series smartphones catching fire or exploding during charging. A notable incident involved a Galaxy S25 FE, which allegedly exploded overnight while charging beside a user’s bed. The explosion, described as producing “fireworks-like” sounds, reportedly sent fragments flying across the room, causing minor burns and singed hair to the owner. Firefighters were called to manage the smoke. The device was charging on a mattress with Samsung’s original USB cable connected to a third-party charger, and was inside a thick leather case with coins, potentially contributing to a thermal runaway event with the lithium-ion battery. This is reportedly the third such incident this year involving Galaxy S-series batteries. Although a previous case in the US was attributed to thermal runaway, Samsung cited “external force” as the cause. The company has not yet commented on the latest incident. While such reports are rare compared to the millions of Galaxy devices sold, they recall the 2016 Galaxy Note 7 battery crisis. Safety experts advise against charging phones on soft surfaces and using low-quality accessories or bulky cases that may trap heat.

