Some Samsung Galaxy S4 units are bursting into fire in Israel

posted by Alan F. / Jun 25, 2014, 3:53 AM

Some Samsung Galaxy S4 units are bursting into fire in Israel

Smartphone manufacturer Samsung, says that the use of third party batteries is behind a small number of fires that broke out in Israel on its popular Samsung Galaxy S4 model. Since last October, Samsung has offered to replace any swollen batteries on the Galaxy S4, whether or not the device and the cell are still covered by a warranty.

Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the most widely read paper in the country, says that thousands of Galaxy S4 models have been experiencing the swollen battery issue with at least 20 units catching on fire. Scailex, the company that imports Samsung products into Israel, told the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it started to hear about these problems in the third quarter of last year, and has been in touch with Samsung. Scailex says that there are no problems with devices produced after January 2014.

Scailex spoke with stock market officials after local media in Israel started publishing stories about the fires.

"Starting in the third quarter of 2013, we began to receive indications of problems. The company was in constant and intensive contact with Samsung on the issue of these problems, and in February 2014 started an independent examination."-Scailex statement to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

"We are aware that there have been a small number of burning cases of the Galaxy S4 in Israel. All of the incidents examined so far have been attributed to the use of unauthorized batteries or the application of external shock or heat."-Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4

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Samsung Galaxy S4

source: Reuters via WSJ

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21 Comments

1. iluvsonynokia

Posts: 161; Member since: Aug 27, 2013

S bomb

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 3:57 AM 4

2. vishalaestro

Posts: 81; Member since: Dec 08, 2013

i would say nokia is one of the best company who comes out with a quality product .their testing methods is soo good that even iphone can't surpass them .also i haven't heard of htc phones giving such similar problems. sony has the problem of heating with their latest xperia z2 phones in asian countries and poor software with so many bugs on other devices.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:08 AM 4

22. mrblah

Posts: 577; Member since: Jan 22, 2013

nope, iphone is better

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 10:23 AM 0

4. RaKithAPeiRiZ

Posts: 1488; Member since: Dec 29, 2011

Atleast they weren't S-Cuds

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:17 AM 0

5. AndroidStuff

Posts: 47; Member since: Feb 24, 2014

Samsung Galaxy S4 BOMB Edition :D

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:21 AM 2

6. ThePython

Posts: 902; Member since: May 08, 2013

Meanwhile in the Middle East...

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:31 AM 1

7. EgyDroid

Posts: 111; Member since: Oct 10, 2013

Man........The GS4 looks way better than the GS5

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:33 AM 3

8. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

No way!! I had that misunderstanding for a while but when I saw both in real, GS5 looked way better.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:38 AM 4

9. vincelongman

Posts: 5625; Member since: Feb 10, 2013

The GS5 screen is very impressive IMO The S4 had one of the dimmest displays, now the S5 has one of the brightest

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:43 AM 1

10. rahul.niks

Posts: 86; Member since: Oct 31, 2013

In my opinion, both are not good. Samsung are misser on design side, only s2 and note series are fine

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:53 AM 1

11. AliNSiddiqui

Posts: 382; Member since: Sep 19, 2012

Misunderstanding? LMFAO

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 4:55 AM 0

18. amats69

Posts: 1527; Member since: Nov 12, 2012

You had misunderstanding with urself?I just hope u settle it as soon as possible..lol

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 8:06 AM 0

12. sip1995

Posts: 1771; Member since: Feb 07, 2014

Everything looks better than the Hansaplast.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 5:10 AM 2

13. Tsepz_GP

Posts: 1135; Member since: Apr 12, 2012

It certainly does, the thinner bezels, the pattern used in its case etc... Looks a lot better than GS5 even in real life, I know because I deal with both daily. The GS5 is more grippy though thanks to the back over, if the S4 had the same sort of back cover it would be way better. The best looking and feeling is the GS4 Black Edition, absolutely stunning piece of work by Samsung there.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 5:43 AM 1

14. kkmkk

Posts: 699; Member since: May 06, 2013

im sure Arab people send these phones to Israel what a cheap move from killers !!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 5:53 AM 1

19. amats69

Seriously? Oh man u better hide ur identity..the killers u said will hunt u.....really.... Lol

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 8:08 AM 2

15. darkkjedii

Posts: 30833; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

No way, that's a lie. There is simply no way in the universe, that any Samsung product could ever have an issue, especially the galaxy line. It's perfect, cuz RoundhouseMcGee said it is.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 6:08 AM 6

16. express77 unregistered

Apple will sue them.

posted on Jun 25, 2014, 6:41 AM 1

20. tiara6918

Posts: 2263; Member since: Apr 26, 2012

Thanks Samsung for the removable battery, and all the retail seller in Israel are honest and ethical to sell the phone originally without changing the inner battery to the cheap 3rd party battery... Samsung fans will still defend removable battery