Stress Test Reportedly Proves Galaxy Note 7 Could Catch Fire Easily; Report Tells Consumers Not To Buy Samsung Phablet

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 has been making headlines ever since its release in August but not for all the right reasons. The flagship device from Apple’s biggest rival is unfortunately making some noise in the industry due to its non-removable battery that is prone to overheating and even catching fire.

To show just how the Note 7’s battery is pretty risky, a Singaporean battery lab recently subjected the Samsung phablet to a stress test. The result was expected, since batteries do overheat when pushed to the limit. What’s striking here is how quickly the phone burst into flames.

According to PhoneArena, it did not take long for the Note 7 to overheat and eventually catch fire when pressure was applied to it. However, the tech site added that there is sufficient time to dispose of the handset from the time it starts to release smoke and the time it actually gets engulfed in flames.

PhoneArena did not provide the specifics especially the length of time for the Note 7 to overheat and burst into flames, but it did warn readers to not consider buying a Galaxy Note 7 for the time being.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail also covered the same story about the pressure test that was conducted at the Applied Energy Hub battery laboratory in Singapore, but it did manage to get official statement from the head of the laboratory, Jan Geder, who explained what the test and the result of the test really mean.

“Any pouch cell lithium-ion battery on any phone subjected to a heavy load will puncture over time, causing an internal short circuit,” Geder was quoted as saying. “We are certain that the same test applied on any lithium-ion battery in any phone will yield very similar results given the sufficient mechanical pressure applied; not just the Note7.”

Geder also pointed out the difference of the conditions in the pressure test setting compared to the regular conditions users are in when they use their Galaxy Note 7 device. “We emphasize that it is highly unlikely that the conditions of this test can be achieved under regular phone use,” Geder stated.

Though its reassuring to know that the Galaxy Note 7 is not that prone to exploding in real life situations, the U.K. postal service company Royal Mail is not taking chances in handling and delivering Note 7 devices. As per the Sun, the Royal Mail staff is now declining to deliver Note 7 packages ever since it was found out that even the deemed “safe” units of the phablet are still prone to catching fire.

Just this Wednesday, a “safe” Galaxy Note 7 device burst into flames while aboard Southwest Airlines flight 994. The Verge learned at the time that the device was bought by the owner from AT&T on Sept. 21 and it did come with an indicator that its battery was safe and free of the risk of exploding.