Non-recalled Nokia phone battery explodes, injures woman

While Nokia and Matsushita were busying settling the disputes that arose when the phone maker had to recall some 46 million handset batteries, a lady in India has been injured by a Nokia-branded cell that's not on that list. Located in eastern India, the woman noted that the BL-D3 series battery "blew up about 10 minutes after it was put on charge," resulting in a "ball of fire" that led to minor burn injuries to the user. According to Nokia, the incident was "isolated," and if it finds that the handset, battery, and charger are original, the 30-year old victim will supposedly be compensated.

[KratosAurion @ Sep 3rd 2007 6:42PM]

Maybe Nokia should just recall all of their batteries.

[Grant @ Sep 3rd 2007 6:46PM]

What a fantastic, and frankly inspirational post. Genius, at best.

[Ike Turner @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:01PM]

This battery exploding stuff has been going outta of hand.It's always happened but nobody used to report it in the press. It's just that now after Sony"s stuff (and now nokia's recall) every time something remotely close to a battery failure is reported etc...fukk wack ass journalism..

[Sean DL @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:33PM]

Yeah just like the lead in toys or the poison pet food, after that happen every time something remotely close to it is reported...

"fukk wack ass journalism" indeed

[Pixielfairy @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:03PM]

Oh but their batteries are SO reliable!! How could this EVER happen?...:P

[ark_v2 @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:15PM]

My guess would be that that comment just above was sarcastic...isn't it?

[pixielfairy @ Sep 4th 2007 3:25PM]

hahha...yes

[Eldiablo @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:06PM]

Now all we need is for Nokia to fit a DNA sequencer to their phones, then they can be programmed to self destructed when placed in the trouser pocket of someone deemed 'dangerous' to the future of the species.

[Harrison @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:58PM]

Nokia should go to their R&D and say a simple "WTF?"

[Jagannath A @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:07PM]

@Harrison

I guess its Matsushita who should go to their R&D and say the same "WTF?" :D

[joey @ Sep 3rd 2007 7:27PM]

nokia should just recall their whole history while their at it, and start making "import chinese mp4 players" to sell on ebay.

[silverblackvoid @ Sep 4th 2007 3:30AM]

fuck you

[Depleted_Cathode @ Sep 3rd 2007 8:11PM]

Frankly folks, the rate of battery failure and/or combustion is alarming. Granted, some of it has to do with miniturization or sheer quantity of devices on the market, but the trend is scary.
I recently replaced my Logitech Harmony 880 battery (conincidentially - Nokia rebranded) because the handset was feeling "too warm".
After speaking with tech-support, upgrading the firmware (which also controls the charging circuit), I decided to play it safe and replace the questionable battery. (Yes, it is going back to Logitech).

[Constable Odo @ Sep 4th 2007 12:25AM]

Or you could let it ignite and say the trauma of seeing the cellphone go up in smoke left you impotent (a rather common side-effect of PTSD) and settle for a hefty sum and a bottle of Viagra. Apparently, anyone who sees a horrible sight ends up with PTSD, so the lawsuit should be easy to win. Might be able to sue for a lifetime supply of Nokia phones. Good luck with that. :)

[Megan @ Sep 3rd 2007 8:39PM]

It can't all be the manufacturers faults. Consumers don't always read all of the precautions in the user manual. All rechargeable batteries get warm with use.

[Beto @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:29PM]

So can I win one of these in the gadget giveaway?

[rckclmbr @ Sep 3rd 2007 10:11PM]

hmmm ... I was kind of hoping for something that wouldn't blow up ... ;)

[Zhalfim Deyn @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:30PM]

as it is said in the entry, "if it finds that the handset, battery, and charger are original"...so it just might not be Nokia's fault, I mean come on it is India after all...(I live there, am allowed to bash it...)

[Frankie @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:45PM]

Maybe I should just stop using Nokia products altogether. Wow.

[Wormbolt @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:54PM]

Exploding battery? Another Apple rip off.

[Alexandre Ste-Marie @ Sep 3rd 2007 10:35PM]

Sony must be jealous too.

[rlh82 @ Sep 4th 2007 12:19AM]

Can't wait until someone comes up with a better (read: less explosive) option than the lithium-ion battery.

[David @ Sep 4th 2007 12:23AM]

these batteries exploding is scary....

it seems to my amateur self that theres some MAJOR quality control issues going on....

[John G @ Sep 4th 2007 12:44AM]

Batteries have been going bang from the get go...just more media exposure to keep it on the news. Not that I would want one to go off on me!

[Locus @ Sep 4th 2007 12:54AM]

so all i should probably NOT have my phone charging on the headboard of my bed while i sleep.

or maybe we should stick our phones in the fridge/freezer while they charge..

[Greg R @ Sep 4th 2007 1:22AM]

thats not very good

[MT @ Sep 4th 2007 2:39AM]

test

[Mighty Tomahawk @ Sep 4th 2007 9:15AM]

I wish my phone would explode on me so I could sue a major corporation...wtf.

[Gnuser @ Sep 4th 2007 11:23AM]

"...the 30-year old victim will supposedly be compensated."

Yeah, with a refurbed BL-D3 battery. Good times ahead!

[willstay @ Sep 29th 2007 7:13AM]

No. The lady should go to Nokia and say "WTF" !!