u/chocho-789

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Original post:

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Additional photo/details update:

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First of all, thank you again to everyone who has shown concern, support, or interest regarding this incident.

(Additional short video from immediately after the incident attached.)

As this situation started spreading across multiple communities and social media platforms, I began seeing a large amount of inaccurate or exaggerated information circulating as if it were already confirmed fact.

So I wanted to clearly organize the current situation myself.

The most important point is this:

My damaged Galaxy S24 is STILL currently in my possession.

Despite many online rumors and reposts, Samsung has NOT officially finalized the cause of the incident for me, and no final written technical conclusion has been delivered at this stage.

Some online posts are incorrectly claiming things such as:

- “battery defect officially confirmed”

- “user fault ruled out”

- “Samsung fully completed compensation”

- “case resolved”

None of those things have been formally finalized for me at this time.

At the moment, I intend to proceed carefully through trusted public and neutral institutions first.

One of the biggest reasons I decided to publicly document this incident is because I realized that once a fire happens, the interpretation of evidence can become extremely complicated afterward.

Even damage created during emergency response or fire suppression itself could potentially be interpreted differently later.

Because of that, I personally believe independent and neutral investigation processes are extremely important in incidents like this.

I also want to clarify something important:

My goal is NOT panic, hatred, or internet drama.

Rare battery incidents can potentially happen with many brands and many electronic devices.

However, I also realized that many incidents quietly disappear without leaving behind useful public records for other people.

So if someone experiences something similar in the future, I hope these posts may at least help them better understand:

- how to respond,

- how to preserve evidence,

- and why involving neutral public institutions may matter.

I truly appreciate that many people are sharing this situation with good intentions and genuine concern.

However, because information is now spreading very quickly across multiple platforms, I would sincerely ask that anyone reposting or discussing this case please try to base it only on confirmed facts and the information I have directly shared myself.

Many details are still not officially finalized at this stage, and I hope accurate information continues spreading rather than exaggerated or speculative claims.

I will continue posting updates myself directly on Reddit whenever there is actual confirmed progress.

And again, thank you to everyone who showed concern for my safety 😭🚀

(Updated with additional clarification regarding the device condition and external impact questions.)

Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/s/7XtCv5QNom

I’m making a separate update post because Reddit would not let me attach additional photos to the original post.

Many people asked for more detailed pictures and additional information, so I wanted to share a few more things.

First of all, yes — the phone was a standard Galaxy S24 in Cobalt Violet color.

Some people mentioned that the original photos did not clearly show the condition of the device, so I’m uploading additional close-up photos along with part of my actual hospital treatment records.

Some people also suggested that the battery may have been damaged by a strong external impact before the incident.

To help reduce misunderstandings regarding possible external damage, I tried to photograph each side of the phone as closely and clearly as possible.

As for the image quality itself, I am not very knowledgeable about photography, and the temporary phone I am currently using is also a much older model.

While the phone was in my possession, the two strongest impacts I can personally remember happened only after the battery had already ignited — first when the device fell to the floor during the incident itself, and second when I carefully pushed/kicked it away from nearby objects while trying to separate it from the desk because I was afraid the fire or explosion could become larger.

Even then, I was honestly too frightened to move it aggressively or send it flying far away.

Of course, I cannot personally determine the exact technical cause of the incident, but I wanted to provide additional context regarding the condition of the device shown in the photos.

The phone was also used without a screen protector film attached.

Because of that, I personally believe that if there had been a severe enough impact beforehand to physically damage the battery, the front glass/display likely would not have remained in relatively intact condition.

The visible marks on the screen appear to have come from melted case material and the floor surface attaching to the device during the fire.

I also noticed comments saying that I’m only doing this for money or trying to get a large payout from Samsung.

To clarify, the things I actually requested from Samsung were very basic:

1. Replacement with an equivalent phone due to the fire damage

2. Best-effort recovery of photos and personal records from the damaged device

3. Medical expenses related to this incident

4. Restoration costs for the building/property damage

Nothing beyond that.

Because the phone calls were in Korean, international readers may not fully understand this part, but during one of the calls, I was asked what amount of compensation I wanted them to report internally.

Honestly, that made me uncomfortable because I do not believe personal memories and years of records can simply be replaced with money.

As for standard compensation itself, I already submitted the case to the Korea Consumer Agency, so I will simply follow the official process.

More than material compensation, what I genuinely wanted from Samsung was for someone directly responsible for product quality and safety to personally visit the scene and simply say:

“We will work harder to make sure something like this never happens again.”

I hope companies take situations like this seriously before someone suffers a much more serious injury or a larger accident occurs.

I simply hope for more honest communication and stronger quality control moving forward.

And honestly, thank you so much for all the support and kind messages.

I truly want to reply to everyone and express my appreciation properly, but I may not be able to respond to every single comment.

I hope you can understand, and please know that your words genuinely mean a lot to me right now.

This happened in South Korea on May 11, 2026.

My Galaxy S24 suddenly emitted smoke, extreme heat, and exploded in my hand while I was using it normally to search the internet.

Important details:

The phone was NOT charging

No drop damage

Never repaired or opened

Fire department responded

Signs consistent with lithium battery ignition were identified on site

I am currently receiving medical treatment for smoke inhalation symptoms and anxiety/insomnia after the incident

Samsung told me they would collect the device for internal investigation, but I have not received further explanation yet.

Photos, medical records, and incident evidence have been preserved.

For privacy and safety reasons, I would prefer to remain anonymous publicly.

If media outlets are interested, I am willing to provide additional photos and videos.

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UPDATE1: 26.5.13

Thank you for all the concern, advice, and support.

This incident did actually happen, and many of my coworkers witnessed it as well. I also have video footage related to the incident, and I have already informed outlets such as BBC and CNN that I am willing to provide additional evidence if requested.

At the moment, I have not been contacted by any Korean media outlets.

I was actively using the phone in my hand for normal web searching when it suddenly began swelling very rapidly before exploding. Thankfully, the lower part of the phone split open during the incident, which likely reduced the severity of the injuries. I only suffered minor burn blisters instead of more serious physical harm.

(Additional Information) The device was purchased as an official unlocked Galaxy S24 through Samsung Partners in South Korea on June 11, 2024, and was received and activated on June 12, 2024. Since then, it had been used normally without any repairs, modifications, or internal opening.

I originally switched from Apple iPhones to Samsung years ago, and honestly, this experience — along with the response afterward — has changed the way I feel.

Please stay careful and safe with your devices as well.

I will continue updating this post if there are any major developments or investigation results.

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UPDATE2: 26.05.13

I was just contacted by the director of a local Samsung service center. According to what I was told, employees from Samsung headquarters became aware of this Reddit post and instructed the local service center to respond. I am still recording and preserving all communication related to this incident, and if major media outlets request it, I am prepared to provide those records as well. I once again requested direct communication from the appropriate department at Samsung headquarters. To be clear, I have never demanded financial compensation during this process. What I truly want is for Samsung to recognize the seriousness of this incident and respond with transparency and sincerity. Experiencing something like this has honestly changed the way I think about battery fire situations and consumer safety. I hope companies learn to take these incidents seriously before they become larger public safety issues.

I’ve honestly realized how powerful Reddit can be.

Thank you everyone. The support and attention from people here have genuinely helped someone like me feel less alone while dealing with this situation.

If more people become aware of battery safety risks through this post, I think that alone would already mean a lot to me.

And seriously, for everyone reading this on their phones right now — please stay safe and pay attention to unusual heat or warning signs 😅