A South Korean user reports that their Samsung Galaxy S24 caught fire in their hand on May 11, 2026, during simple web browsing, with no prior anomalies reported on the device.
What happened on May 11, 2026
The incident was made public by a user identifying themselves by the pseudonym chocho-789 on the Reddit forum r/samsunggalaxy. According to their testimony, they were using their smartphone to browse the internet when the device began to swell rapidly. The situation then escalated in a matter of moments: smoke escaped from the device, followed by extreme heat, before the phone literally exploded in their hand.
The user specifies that the lower part of the casing opened under pressure during the explosion, a phenomenon that, according to them, limited the severity of the injuries. They still suffered superficial blisters on their hands. Furthermore, they had to receive medical attention for symptoms related to smoke inhalation, as well as for anxiety and sleep disturbances following the shock.
The device had been purchased on June 11, 2024, via Samsung Partners in South Korea. The user states that it had never been repaired, opened, or damaged by a fall. The phone was not charging at the time of the incident.
The lithium battery implicated by the firefighters
The firefighters dispatched to the scene examined the smartphone and concluded that the observed signs were consistent with a lithium-ion battery ignition. The user also claims to possess video footage of the incident. According to information reported by several media outlets, the phone allegedly struck the user's chin at the moment of the explosion before falling to the ground.
The risk of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries is a well-documented phenomenon in the industry. It occurs when an internal chemical reaction escalates, generating heat that the battery can no longer dissipate. The causes can be multiple: manufacturing defect, cell aging, or internal short circuit, even in the absence of any apparent impact.
Samsung's reaction and the context of recent incidents
Samsung has contacted the user through a local service center in South Korea. According to information reported by several media outlets, the manufacturer wishes to retrieve the device to conduct an internal investigation, without providing any further explanation at this stage. The user, for their part, indicated a desire to contact Samsung's headquarters directly, believing that local exchanges are insufficient. At the time of this article's publication, Samsung has not issued an official statement on the incident.
This case is not entirely isolated in the brand's recent history. In October 2025, a similar incident was already reported with a Galaxy S25+ which caught fire in South Korea during normal use, without being connected to a charger. Furthermore, a post deleted since then on Reddit from 2024 mentioned a Galaxy S24 Ultra that had also allegedly caught fire, although this report could never be independently verified. In January 2026, another user reported on Samsung's official community forum that a Galaxy S24 battery had swollen and exploded while the device was being used by a 12-year-old child.
Should you worry about your Galaxy S24?
For now, nothing suggests the existence of a systemic defect in the range Galaxy S24. Millions of units of this series have been sold worldwide since its launch, and reports of this type remain extremely rare given the installed base. Specialists therefore believe there is no reason to panic or consider a product recall at this stage, in the absence of data indicating widespread failure.
That said, any incident involving a lithium-ion battery deserves serious attention, especially when it occurs without an identified external cause. If your smartphone shows a deformed casing, persistent unusual heat, or signs of swelling, it is strongly advised to stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer's after-sales service.
In case of fire involving a lithium-ion battery, firefighters remind us of some fundamental rules: immediately move people away, avoid inhaling smoke, do not touch the device with bare hands, and do not use water to extinguish the flames, as lithium-ion batteries can react unpredictably on contact with water. Prioritize keeping a distance and calling emergency services.
Samsung's response is still awaited on this matter. An official statement from the manufacturer would help clarify the exact circumstances of this incident and reassure users of the S24 range worldwide.
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