Popular smartphone is banned on all US flights over explosion risk
The device was recalled by Samsung
A popular Samsung phone which has been banned from all US flights has popped up again on TikTok, with people wondering exactly what led to the 'emergency order' to bar the device from the skies.
The Samsung smartphone found itself on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) no-fly list following reports of overheating, 'popping' noises, exploding batteries and even some catching fire.
Samsung was quick to act at the time, launching an investigation and issuing a voluntary recall on 2.5 million phones.
The company said at the time it was 'taking responsibility for our failure to ultimately identify and verify the issues arising out of the battery design and manufacturing process', with the recall estimated to have cost it an eye-watering £4.3bn.
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What has the TSA said about the Samsung phone?
The smartphone in question is the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which hit shops in 2016.
The Transport Security Administration released a statement on its website, which said: "The US Department of Transportation, with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, have issued an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States."
It further explained: "Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States."
What caused the fault in the Samsung phone?
An investigation in 2017 found that the batteries were the culprit of the problem with the smartphone. More specifically, it was deemed there was 'insufficient insulation material' within the batteries, while the design of the phones didn't leave enough room for the batteries' electrodes.
The news has now found its way onto TikTok some eight years on, with multiple creators making content about the ban.
One said: "Not me watching this on my Samsung Galaxy Note 7."
Another noted: "That phone is from 2016. It’s almost 10 years old. Nobody should have that phone anymore because it’s too outdated."
"Probably because it’s been known to have issues with its battery that can spontaneously catch fire," a third added.
"There’s videos of it all over the internet, some of them are older but there’s lots of videos of it."
In 2016, the tech giant released a statement which said: "To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market.
"However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note 7."
Topics: Technology, Travel, US News
Mia Williams