Don’t risk it! Emergency surgery after THIS smart ring bloated

Daniel Rotar’s holiday in Hawaii took a terrifying turn in seconds.

What should have been a routine flight home became a 50-hour ordeal he couldn’t have predicted.

All because of a device on his finger.

When the tech reviewer, known for his ZONEofTECH YouTube channel, prepared to board his flight last Sunday, he noticed something alarming.

His Samsung Galaxy Ring had begun swelling on his index finger, trapping the device painfully.

Despite attempts using soap, water, and hand cream, Rotar could not remove the ring.

Hospitalisation and Emergency Care

Airport security quickly intervened, deeming the swollen battery a safety hazard, and Rotar was denied boarding.

The situation escalated over 47 hours of travel, forcing an unexpected overnight stay in a hotel as his finger continued to swell around the stuck ring.

At the hospital, medical staff applied ice to reduce inflammation and used medical lubricant to slide the device off.

Previous attempts at the airport had worsened the swelling, causing the already compromised battery to expand further.

Warning Signs and Broader Issues

Rotar had noticed warning signs for months.

His Galaxy Ring, designed for a seven-day battery life, was only lasting 1.5 days—a clear indication of battery issues.

Contributing factors included Hawaii’s intense heat, exposure to saltwater despite its IP68 rating, and multiple long flights with a malfunctioning battery.

This incident was not isolated.

Other Galaxy Ring users shared similar stories online, including one device failing after three weeks and another swelling after a few months.

Beyond swelling, complaints about severe battery drain were common, with devices dropping from days to mere hours of power.

Samsung acknowledged some issues, offering troubleshooting, replacements, or refunds, though many users reported frustrating experiences with support.

Samsung Response and Consumer Guidance

Samsung responded by calling Rotar’s experience 'extremely rare' and confirmed they were investigating the incident.

The company refunded his hotel costs, arranged transport home, and retrieved the damaged ring for further study.

They also acknowledged ongoing battery issues reported by Galaxy Ring users.

Australian Consumer Law provides protections for products with major faults.

If a device fails within a reasonable period, consumers are entitled to a replacement or refund.

Expensive devices like the Galaxy Ring developing problems within the first year could constitute a major failure, extending consumer rights beyond standard warranties.

The ACCC encourages reporting safety issues, particularly those involving batteries.

Safety Recommendations

Experts note that even one case of a battery swelling on a finger is too many.

Samsung has suggested methods for removing stuck rings, though Rotar’s extreme case showed they may not always be effective.

Users are reminded to check old or unused devices and consider recycling them before they reach dangerous fail states.

The investigation into Rotar’s ring continues, with Samsung promising to share findings to prevent similar incidents.

If the swelling of a wearable device has you thinking twice about the gadgets you use every day, there’s more you should know about hidden risks in common electronics.

Experts have highlighted how even everyday devices can carry unexpected fire hazards, showing that battery issues aren’t limited to high-tech rings.

For a closer look at another real-world example and practical safety advice, check out the following story.

Read more: The hidden fire hazard lurking in your favourite gadgets, experts warn

Losing access to safe, reliable technology can feel unnerving—how closely do you monitor your wearable devices for potential hazards?