Only TikTokers were able to discover that the camera flash on Samsung Galaxy phones is powerful enough to melt plastic.
A viral video from @neev.akavak shows the LED flash of a Samsung Galaxy S25 FE used to punch a hole in a black plastic bag, and since the latest Samsung phones share the same physical flash hardware, it’s likely that all phones in the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S25, and Galaxy S26 lines can repeat the same trick (we don’t recommend trying to repeat it at home, however).
“This is why museums don’t allow flash, folks,” reads a comment under the video, while another user writes: “Sometimes I accidentally put my phone in my pocket with the flash on and feel like I’m burning a hole.”
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Of course, the explanation for this “problem” is clear: the best Samsung phones feature incredibly powerful LEDs, and the light carries energy that produces heat when absorbed by matter like plastic or skin. If you press a phone flashlight against a thin synthetic material, it’s possible that the heat absorbed by that material could leave a mark.
Samsung itself recognizes this risk in the Flashlight tool, warning users – when they turn up the brightness – that “the camera light may cause low temperature burns when in prolonged contact with the skin. Avoid leaving the flashlight on for an extended period.”
It’s clear, then, that the company relies on some common sense and caution among its user base with features like this; You shouldn’t press your phone’s flashlight against thin surfaces for long periods, just as you shouldn’t – surprise! — Swallow your phone whole or bang it against your head (again, don’t try any of those things at home). We’re not talking about the fire risk levels of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 here.
Still, as Lee Elliott, product director at phone recycling website Compare and Recycle, tells TechRadar, the risks posed by powerful LED lights in smartphones must continue to be recognized: “Although the devices display a warning when the torch is turned on [flashlight] is on the highest brightness, we all know how easy it is to forget to turn things off on our devices or accidentally turn them on.
“This means that problems could arise if Samsung users accidentally leave their flash on in an enclosed space, such as a bag or pocket. Because many everyday items contain synthetic materials, especially backpacks and clothing, leaving the flashlight on by mistake could cause damage or melting.
“If left on for an extended period, this could become a fire risk. Therefore, it is a good reminder to check that the flash is not left on unintentionally, avoid covering the light source for long periods, and manually reduce the brightness of the torch below the warning level when you are using it.”
Samsung isn’t the only one marketing extra-strong LED flash modules, either. Last month, several Google Pixel 10 and 10 Pro XL users complained that their phones’ flashlight modules had burned out or melted after prolonged use, which is arguably an even more worrying issue.
However, Samsung phones appear to have more powerful flashlights than their Apple counterparts: in a separate video, a YouTuber found that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s flashlight was significantly weaker than that of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which burned through a sheet of plastic in a similar way to the aforementioned Galaxy S25 FE.
Look
In short, if you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, you should be careful when using your device’s flashlight at full strength. Check that the flash is off when you leave your phone in your pocket or on a surface, and always be sure to dispose of used electronics at your local recycling center; Don’t just throw them in the trash. And definitely don’t throw them in the trash with any type of flashlight enabled. We know how that ends.
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