Teardown finds Samsung Galaxy S8+ battery 'virtually identical' to fire-prone Note 7
Samsung is apparently confident that a rash of fires with its Note 7 phablet were caused by manufacturing errors, and not design or parts, as it has adopted many of the same features -- and even one of the same battery manufacturers -- with the new Galaxy S8+.
As is par for the course with new gadgets, iFixit got their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and conducted a teardown of the flagship device. After analyzing the internal design of the Galaxy S8+, iFixit came away surprised that Samsung didn't go for a "dramatically different design" from the Note 7.
Specifically, iFixit found that the Galaxy S8+ battery is "virtually identical" to the Note 7 battery in a number of respects, including battery voltage, capacity and design tolerances. The S8+ has a 13.48 Wh battery that is exactly the same as the capacity of the Note 7 battery.
In addition, while different suppliers may provide components for different individual handsets, the Galaxy S8+ taken apart by iFixit was built by the same manufacturer as "some" Note 7 batteries.
"Samsung is clearly confident that their battery issue was a manufacturing quality assurance one, and the S8 series' glued-in battery is proof they have faith in their 8-point plan," the solutions provider wrote. "The design surrounding the battery -- its installed position, spacing, and reinforcement -- is very, very similar to the Note 7."
Samsung confirmed in January that fires from faulty Note 7 units were a result of battery problems. After a public relations nightmare led to a series of recalls, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was finally permanently discontinued last October, citing consumer safety.
Handsets that were not returned were permanently disabled via software by Samsung.
As is par for the course with new gadgets, iFixit got their hands on the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and conducted a teardown of the flagship device. After analyzing the internal design of the Galaxy S8+, iFixit came away surprised that Samsung didn't go for a "dramatically different design" from the Note 7.
Specifically, iFixit found that the Galaxy S8+ battery is "virtually identical" to the Note 7 battery in a number of respects, including battery voltage, capacity and design tolerances. The S8+ has a 13.48 Wh battery that is exactly the same as the capacity of the Note 7 battery.
In addition, while different suppliers may provide components for different individual handsets, the Galaxy S8+ taken apart by iFixit was built by the same manufacturer as "some" Note 7 batteries.
"Samsung is clearly confident that their battery issue was a manufacturing quality assurance one, and the S8 series' glued-in battery is proof they have faith in their 8-point plan," the solutions provider wrote. "The design surrounding the battery -- its installed position, spacing, and reinforcement -- is very, very similar to the Note 7."
Samsung confirmed in January that fires from faulty Note 7 units were a result of battery problems. After a public relations nightmare led to a series of recalls, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was finally permanently discontinued last October, citing consumer safety.
Handsets that were not returned were permanently disabled via software by Samsung.
Comments
iFixit gave both S8's a 4/10 for ease of repair, iPhone 7 received 7/10. iPhone wins yet again.
You're smokin'
Are your pants on fire -- or are you just happy to see me?
its never a good thing to at the last minute, replace a major component in a product, for any reason. It always needs a new round of testing, and there was not time for that, as the phone itself was rushed out earlier than expected to better compete with the 7+. It was a major mistake, AMD one I would expect Samsung won't make again.
And, guess what? iPhone batteries probably have very similar specs to these!
With S series, it is NOT just $5 billion. It is much more than that. About $40 billion at stake.
I doubt that very much, this would assume the person or system would be able to recognize all situations which constitute a failure mechanism. X-raying may find the gross problem, but the batteries failed over time, there was something more going on, they most likely did not understand. The x-ray found what they knew what they were looking for. I personally think their fast charging circuit and algorithm played into the problem it helped accelerate possible minor defects in the battery which may have never failed unless put under the right conditions.
Honestly, what are you supposed to do? I understand the Note 7 is still contraband, and our uber-efficient TSA in the US is so fond of announcing "if you see something say something." So...I ask the person with one "is that a note 7?" If yes, then I report them to the flight crew? And when the United Police show up, I'm gonna be real popular with a seat mate that I've been packed spoon-fashion next to.
Even if there is no major incident, the next one of these things that goes off is gonna result in...consequences.