A Reddit user recently shared a traumatic experience with her Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. She woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of popping and what she described as fireworks, with metal and plastic shrapnel flying around the room. 

The cause? Her phone has exploded while charging. The user acknowledged that the phone was charging on the mattress, which she admits was not a great idea. That said, she used the original cord that came with the phone and a compatible Samsung charging brick. Samsung, for the record, no longer includes a wall block in the box. Also, she confirmed that although the phone was on the mattress, it was not covered with a pillow or anything else. 

The explosion was beyond normal. The fire department had to be called to put out the smoke. The user had their hair singed and got a small burn on their neck. Thankfully, her son, who was also in the room, was not physically harmed, though he was understandably traumatized by the incident.

Is this an isolated case?

Unfortunately, not entirely. Late last year, a two-month-old Galaxy S25 Plus caught fire overnight in Indiana while charging with an official Samsung charger and cable. The fire department confirmed it was a thermal runaway event, a condition where the battery overheats uncontrollably and escalates rapidly. 

The family inhaled fumes and had to seek medical attention. Samsung’s insurance team offered $500 per person for pain and suffering, which the family described as “an extreme lowball.” 

It should be noted that multiple users have reported similar battery explosion issues on social media; however, it’s difficult to verify the veracity of such posts due to a lack of included details.

Samsung hasn’t said anything yet

The Reddit user said that she contacted Samsung and received a ticket number, but has not heard back. Samsung has not yet issued a public statement on its specific case.

In the Indiana case, Samsung stated that “external force was the cause,” though the fire department’s investigation concluded a thermal runaway event occurred. That response left people scratching their heads, and this new incident will likely raise similar questions. 

For now, the safest habit remains the same: charge your phone on a hard, flat surface, and never leave it on a bed or couch overnight.