Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Viral movies of Samsung telephones melting plastic with their flashlights are doing the rounds, however this conduct has been identified for some time.
- Exams present that Samsung units just like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely and Apple’s iPhone 17 Professional Max can soften plastic below the identical circumstances.
- This occurs as a result of trendy smartphones use highly effective LED flashlights that may generate warmth at shut vary.
Viral movies displaying Samsung telephones melting plastic with their flashlights are blowing up on social media once more. One TikTok clip alone (see beneath) has racked up over 13 million views, displaying a Galaxy S25 FE torch burning by a skinny black rubbish bag.
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Whereas these movies may look alarming, Galaxy telephone flashlights burning by plastic isn’t a brand new discovery, and it’s not even restricted to Samsung’s units.
Folks have been posting related movies for over a yr, however social media algorithms appear to have pushed the pattern again into the highlight just lately.
Of us over at Tom’s Information additionally picked up on the pattern and determined to attempt it themselves utilizing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely and the iPhone 17 Professional Max. Their outcomes present that each telephones had been capable of soften a plastic trash bag when the flashlight was set to most brightness, in contrast to what a few of these viral movies declare.
The Galaxy telephone did it barely quicker, however the iPhone nonetheless managed to burn a gap by the plastic. In different phrases, this isn’t a Samsung downside; it’s possible one thing most trendy smartphone flashlights can replicate when left on for prolonged intervals.
Whereas trendy telephones use very highly effective LED flash modules for higher pictures, the added brightness may result in extra warmth when the sunshine is concentrated in a small space. This will result in the form of burns proven in these viral clips.
Samsung is already conscious of this conduct, and its telephones even show a warning when the flashlight is used at most brightness. Nonetheless, in actual life, it’s straightforward to overlook a flashlight is on or by chance set off it in your pocket.
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
So whereas the viral movies definitely make the difficulty look extra dramatic than it’s, they’re nonetheless reminder that your telephone’s flashlight might be not one thing you need pressed up in opposition to a plastic bag or artificial supplies for lengthy.
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