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In 2016, Samsung's Galaxy S7 phone was the subject of a world-wide ban from aircraft (and eventual product recall) after battery defects caused at least one S7

In 2016, Samsung's Galaxy S7 phone was the subject of a world-wide ban from aircraft (and eventual product recall) after battery defects caused at least one S7 to catch fire while on an airliner[0]. This is far from the only incident of li-ion batteries exploding on aircraft; indeed the FAA estimated that li-ion batteries exploded at a rate of once every ten days on US-controlled aircraft in 2017[1]. Terrestrial lithium battery fires are at least as frequent[2] and have been far more destructive[3]. Given that litihum battery fires have burned down houses, it's only a matter of luck whether one eventually starts a wildfire or not. Given the established risks of even OEM lithium batteries, making it easier for the public to use lithium batteries of dubious origin and quality is not prudent. With specific regard to wildfires, I take it you don't live in an area where wildfires are a serious risk. Open flames and other sources of ignition, including cigarettes, vehicles, and camp stoves are banned in wildlands during fire season. If cell phones exploded more regularly, they would, by necessity, be added to the list of prohibited items. [0] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37570100 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37570100 [1] https://www.consumerreports.org/product-safety/whats-behind-the-increase-in-lithium-ion-battery-fires-on-planes/ https://www.consumerreports.org/product-safety/whats-behind-... [2] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/lithium-batteries-in-phones-laptops-cordless-causing-house-fires/12483756 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-07/lithium-batteries-in-... [3] https://loudounnow.com/2020/08/23/faulty-lithium-ion-battery-blamed-for-stone-ridge-house-fire/ https://loudounnow.com/2020/08/23/faulty-lithium-ion-battery...

TeMPOraL 6y ago
> Samsung's Galaxy S7 phone was the subject of a world-wide ban from aircraft No, it wasn't. That was Galaxy Note 7, which was a different phone. (I still own and use a S7, btw.)
- arcticbull 6y ago
  That couldn't be further from the point.
ClumsyPilot 6y ago
You've demonstrated that this is a significant issue, but to impose any restrictions on the user you should be trying to demonstrate that unreplaceable OEM batteries are significantly safer, you are proving the opposite! Your example is of a major OEM screwup does not help your case! For decades batteries were replaceable, and now they are not. If it were true that OEM are more responsible with batteries, then we should have seen a massive decline in lithium battery caused fires. We seem to be observing the opposite? Maybe rigid replaceable batteries, lile the ones found in cameras, are actually safer and better protected! Secondly if this is a genuine safety solution, then it should deal with laptops, cameras, electric bikes, drones and other devices that have much larger batteries and which are user-replaceable, and where they have to be. Thirdly, an unreplaceable battery turns a durable good into a throw-away device. Then it becomes e-waste and might kill more people through lead poisoning than it ever could from a minor fire.

TeMPOraL 6y ago

> Samsung's Galaxy S7 phone was the subject of a world-wide ban from aircraft No, it wasn't. That was Galaxy Note 7, which was a different phone. (I still own and use a S7, btw.)

arcticbull 6y ago
That couldn't be further from the point.

ClumsyPilot 6y ago

You've demonstrated that this is a significant issue, but to impose any restrictions on the user you should be trying to demonstrate that unreplaceable OEM batteries are significantly safer, you are proving the opposite! Your example is of a major OEM screwup does not help your case! For decades batteries were replaceable, and now they are not. If it were true that OEM are more responsible with batteries, then we should have seen a massive decline in lithium battery caused fires. We seem to be observing the opposite? Maybe rigid replaceable batteries, lile the ones found in cameras, are actually safer and better protected! Secondly if this is a genuine safety solution, then it should deal with laptops, cameras, electric bikes, drones and other devices that have much larger batteries and which are user-replaceable, and where they have to be. Thirdly, an unreplaceable battery turns a durable good into a throw-away device. Then it becomes e-waste and might kill more people through lead poisoning than it ever could from a minor fire.