Samsung Galaxy Ring battery swelling leads to missed flight and hospital visit

A tech influencer claimed that his Galaxy Ring swelled while on his finger just before boarding a flight, ultimately preventing him from flying.

 
“Ah... this is... not good,” Daniel Rotar, a tech content creator with 1.63 million subscribers on YouTube, wrote on X on Monday. “My Samsung Galaxy Ring’s battery started swelling. While it’s on my finger. And while I’m about to board a flight.”

Tagging the X accounts of Samsung’s U.S. and British operations, Rotar called for an immediate resolution.

 
He also uploaded a photo showing the battery of the Galaxy Ring visibly swollen, writing “Closeup. You can see the battery expanding. Not great for something that’s now stuck to my finger.”

 
“I was denied boarding due to this,” Rotar posted in another message. “Need to pay for a hotel for the night now and get back home tomorrow”

He later added that he was rushed to the hospital for an emergency and had the ring removed, concluding that he “won’t be wearing a smart ring ever again.”

 
“The swelling incident seems to be an isolated and rare case,” SamMobile, a website specializing in Samsung-related news, reported on Wednesday. “For the vast majority of people, the Ring should be safe to wear and use daily. That said, it’s worth remembering that the Galaxy Ring demands more care than, say, a smartwatch.”

 
Samsung said in a statement, “We will retrieve the product for investigation,” adding that “user safety is our top priority.

Source: https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

Comprehension

Who is Daniel Rotar, and what happened to his Galaxy Ring?
What problem did Rotar experience right before boarding his flight?
What did Rotar post on social media about the incident?
Why was he denied boarding?
What did Rotar have to do after being denied his flight?
How did he get the ring removed?
What was his reaction after the incident?
What did Samsung say in response to the situation?

Discussion

Would you feel safe wearing a smart ring after hearing this story? Why or why not?
Do you think technology companies test their products enough before selling them?
How should companies respond when their products cause harm to users?
What kind of safety measures do you think should be added to wearable tech?
Have you ever experienced a gadget malfunctioning? What happened?
Do you trust smart devices like watches or rings that collect personal data?
Should Daniel Rotar be compensated for his experience? Why or why not?
How might incidents like this affect Samsung’s reputation?
What should airlines do if passengers have devices with battery problems?
Do you think wearable tech is necessary, or just a luxury?

Vocabulary

Influencer – a person who affects others’ opinions through social media.
Swelling – expanding or becoming larger, often due to pressure or damage.
Battery – a device that stores energy to power electronics.
Denied boarding – not allowed to get on a flight.
Retrieve – to take back or collect something for examination.
Investigation – a process of finding out what happened.
Emergency – a sudden and serious situation that needs quick action.
Priority – something that is very important and must come first.