日本語
한국어
Tiếng Việt
简体中文
A disturbing incident involving a Samsung Galaxy Ring has brought renewed attention to wearable technology safety. A user reported his smart ring suddenly swelled, severely constricting his finger, leading to significant personal distress, a missed international flight, and an emergency hospital visit for its removal.
The ordeal began for Daniel Rotar, known from the YouTube channel ZONEofTECH, while he was preparing to board a flight. Rotar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share images revealing how the inner casing of his Galaxy Ring had warped inwards, visibly crushing his finger. He described the pain and the alarming inability to remove the health tracker as it tightened its grip.
“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?”
— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH) September 29, 2025
Travel Plans Derailed by Malfunctioning Device
The swelling ring not only caused physical discomfort but also led to substantial travel disruption. Following a grueling 47 hours of prior travel, Rotar was denied boarding his flight. This decision by airport staff, perhaps recalling past high-profile battery incidents like the Galaxy Note 7, forced him to find overnight accommodation and re-arrange his journey.
The situation escalated further when Rotar was directed to an emergency room to have the device removed. Hospital staff successfully freed the smart ring by employing ice to reduce swelling and a medical lubricant. Interestingly, earlier attempts at the airport to remove the ring with soap and hand cream had reportedly worsened the situation, potentially causing the already swollen battery to expand further.
Once removed, Rotar posted images showcasing the buckled and damaged inner casing of the Samsung wearable, a stark visual testament to the severity of the malfunction.
Investigating the Cause of the Swelling
Several theories have emerged regarding the cause of the Galaxy Ring’s unexpected behavior. At the time of the incident, Rotar was in Hawaii attending the Snapdragon Summit, suggesting that the tropical heat could have been a contributing factor. Other potential elements under consideration include exposure to saltwater, the stress from multiple long flights, or even a pre-existing fault within the ring’s battery.
Rotar himself noted that the device had exhibited battery issues prior to the swelling, lasting only about 1.5 days on a full charge, significantly less than the expected seven days of operation.
It’s worth noting that Samsung’s official support page provides guidance for removing a Galaxy Ring stuck due to natural finger size fluctuations, but makes no mention of battery swelling as a cause for removal.
Samsung Responds to the Incident
In a follow-up update, Rotar confirmed that he had finally returned home. Samsung promptly reached out to address the situation, refunding his hotel expenses, arranging transportation, and collecting the malfunctioning ring for a thorough investigation. Rotar also highlighted that the battery issues with his Galaxy Ring were not new, having spanned several months, and that other Galaxy Ring owners have reported similar problems, including accelerated battery drain and swelling.
This incident underscores the critical importance of safety and reliability in advanced wearable technology, particularly for devices that remain in constant contact with the body. Samsung has stated it is actively investigating the matter.