A Crypto User’s Galaxy Ring Nightmare Highlights a Wider Tech Risk Sometimes technology fails, and when it does, it can be a spectacular and painful event. Daniel Rotar, the lead behind the popular ZONEofTECH YouTube channel, recently experienced this firsthand with his Samsung Galaxy Ring. He posted on social media that the battery inside the wearable device began to swell while it was on his finger. The situation escalated quickly. He reported that he could not remove the ring and that it was causing him significant pain. The incident was severe enough to disrupt his travel plans, resulting in him being denied boarding for a flight. After several hours, Rotar provided an update, stating he had to go to a hospital where the ring was finally removed in an emergency procedure. He shared photos showing the clear swelling on the inner surface of the ring, a classic sign of a failing battery. Samsung issued a statement in response, emphasizing that customer safety is a top priority. The company confirmed it is in direct contact with the user to investigate the concerns. Their statement also included standard advice for removing a stuck ring, such as using soap and water or submerging the hand in cold water, and directed users to their official support page for more information. This event serves as a stark reminder of a known, though rare, risk inherent in all modern portable electronics: battery failure. The lithium-ion batteries that power our phones, laptops, and now wearable tech like rings and watches can sometimes degrade dangerously. Trapped gases and heat buildup can cause the battery to swell, a phenomenon often referred to online as a spicy pillow. This swelling can lead to devices becoming stuck, damaged, or in extreme cases, posing a fire hazard. For the crypto community, which is often an early adopter of new tech for staking, validation, or secure transactions, this incident is a critical wake-up call. The devices we use to manage digital assets, from hardware wallets to smartphones with crypto apps, are not immune to these fundamental hardware flaws. A failing battery in a device that holds your private keys could lead to a catastrophic loss if the device is damaged or destroyed. The core takeaway is universal. Current battery technology is not perfect. While such failures are uncommon, they are a predictable part of the device lifecycle. This underscores the importance of proper device maintenance and, crucially, having secure and regular backups for any critical data, including cryptocurrency wallets and seed phrases. Furthermore, it is a good practice to responsibly recycle old electronics. Gadgets left in drawers for years can still reach a dangerous fail state. Proper recycling prevents potential hazards and helps manage e-waste. For anyone in the crypto space relying on technology, this incident reinforces that physical device health is just as important as digital security.
