Smart Rings Overheat: Users Report Burns and Smoke

Recent reports highlight alarming safety incidents involving popular smart rings. Users have described Oura rings smoking and causing painful burns on their fingers, with one user experiencing a blister. Separately, a Samsung Galaxy Ring's battery reportedly swelled, rupturing around the wearer's finger just before a flight. These events stem from the nature of lithium-ion batteries, which can be prone to thermal runaway if damaged or defective.

While these occurrences are concerning, manufacturers emphasize that such incidents are rare and often isolated. Oura has stated they are thoroughly investigating the reported cases on a case-by-case basis, including third-party analysis, to understand the exact cause. For context, Oura has sold over 5.5 million rings, suggesting these particular issues do not represent a widespread problem.

Despite the risks associated with rechargeable batteries, modern advancements and stringent safety standards significantly lessen potential dangers. Oura also appears to be responsive to customer concerns, offering generous warranty and replacement policies for issues like depleting battery life, which some users have also reported.