Tech YouTuber Daniel Rotar experienced a distressing incident when his Samsung Galaxy Ring’s battery swelled dangerously while he was about to board an international flight, causing pain and trapping the ring on his finger. This led to denied boarding, an emergency hospital visit, and an overnight hotel stay.

Samsung UK responded by offering support, reimbursed his hotel expenses, and collected the device for investigation. The incident highlights concerns over wearable tech safety, particularly with lithium-ion batteries in close contact with the skin. Samsung claims this is an extremely rare occurrence and is investigating the matter thoroughly.

Update #2

Finally got home after way over 50h of flying/travelling 😅

Samsung reached out to me:
– refunded me for my overnight hotel
– booked me a car to get me home this morning
– collected the ring from me, for further investigation

My finger is also doing well, aside from… https://t.co/40c7l6MASV pic.twitter.com/xSSDc7Dz7J

— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH) September 30, 2025

The Incident: A Traveller’s Ordeal

Daniel Rotar, known for his technology channel ZONEofTECH, described a harrowing experience after nearly 47 hours of travel. The battery inside his Galaxy Ring began swelling uncontrollably, pressing tightly against his finger, causing redness, swelling, and pain.

Despite attempts to remove the ring with soap and lotion, it remained stuck until medical professionals intervened at the hospital, using ice and lubricant to safely slide the ring off. The swelling was so severe that airport officials barred him from boarding the flight due to the fire risk posed by the swollen lithium-ion battery. Following the hospital visit, Rotar had to stay overnight at a hotel before rescheduling his trip home.

He posted photos of the swollen ring’s distorted interior, stating he would not wear a smart ring again due to this traumatic event.

Manufacturer Response and Investigation

Samsung responded swiftly to Rotar’s posts on X, expressing concern and emphasising that customer safety is a top priority. The company advised on safe removal methods for a stuck ring, such as immersing the finger in cold water or using soap and water, but warned users to avoid cutting the device without professional help due to the battery inside. Samsung collected the malfunctioning Galaxy Ring for further analysis and reimbursed Rotar’s hotel expenses, also arranging transport for his return journey.

Rotar revealed in follow-up posts that the ring had displayed erratic battery behaviour for months prior, including rapid drainage and charging difficulties. He and other users have reported similar battery swelling issues on Reddit, with Samsung offering replacement units, though some replacements reportedly had similar problems. Samsung described the swelling case as extremely rare but pivotal for them to understand and resolve.

Battery swollen?
byu/nuadha inGalaxyRing

Context and Broader Implications

The Galaxy Ring, launched in mid-2024, is designed to be a compact health and fitness tracker worn on the finger, leveraging lithium-ion batteries constrained within a robust titanium shell. Unlike smartphones, whose batteries can expand outward during malfunction without trapping the device, the Galaxy Ring’s rigid design meant the battery swelling exerted intense pressure inward, causing discomfort and trapped fingers.

Similar battery swelling has been seen in other devices, including Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, which faced worldwide flight bans years ago. While this current incident is isolated in scale, it raises important safety questions as smart wearables become more ubiquitous and miniaturised.

Expert Advice on Lithium Battery Safety for Consumers

Experts recommend consumers follow thorough safety practices with wearable tech powered by lithium-ion batteries:

• Use only manufacturer-provided chargers and batteries to avoid overvoltage or deep discharge.
• Regularly inspect devices for signs of damage, swelling, odd smells, or heat generation.
• Never attempt to repair, disassemble, or forcibly remove stuck devices without professional assistance.
• Store and charge batteries in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight or flammable materials.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This incident is a stark reminder that as technology becomes more entwined with everyday life, innovation must be balanced with uncompromising safety and consumer trust. The distress and inconvenience caused to Rotar underscore the need for manufacturers to prioritise transparent communication, rigorous quality control, and easy emergency procedures for wearable devices.

Empathy and accountability must guide the tech industry to not only prevent harm but foster confidence among users embracing these advancements.

Ahhh…this is…not good.

My Samsung Galaxy Ring’s battery started swelling. While it’s on my finger 😬. And while I’m about to board a flight 😬

Now I cannot take it off and this thing hurts.

Any quick suggestions @SamsungUK @SamsungMobileUS? pic.twitter.com/LOO1kSlQUw

— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH) September 29, 2025