Apple Steals A Feature From Samsung As An Exploding iPhone 7 Surfaces In The Wild

Oftentimes when a smartphone maker debuts a nifty new idea, its competitors find ways to implement their own version of whatever feature everyone is excited about, whether it's a premium design, a digital assistant, or something else. But spontaneous smartphone combustion? Following Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 debacle, pictures of a charred iPhone 7 are making the rounds.

A user on reddit posted several photos of the burnt iPhone 7, which he says was pre-ordered by a co-worker who never got to use the handset. Apparently the smartphone arrived that way, suggesting a serious Q&A failure in the packaging department that sent it out, or more likely that it overheated during transit and melted itself and part of the packaging.

"I'm not certain, but something happened between the factory and delivery," the reddit forum member stated in response to someone asking what the heck happened.


Some are calling BS on the claim, noting that the "photo does not add up," while others have posted theories as to how something like this could have occurred.

"My guess is that the screen separate from the body and let the gases out. The Note 7s 'exploded' because the gases couldn't get out... So, the battery failed, started producing heat and gases, but because the gases were[n't] able to escape, the reaction died down and just left us with some partially melted adhesive and residue," another forum member posited.

The original poster says an account executive from Apple's Texas offices reached out for more information and set up an expedited replacement with AT&T. That's the most current update on the matter, though we'll be keeping an eye on this one to see if there's an official explanation or if it turns out to be a hoax.