Is your S7 Edge back cover separating possibly from a swelling battery

[jcc39]

I put this same post on the Samsung Community forum and someone deleted it, not sure why, so I'm reposting it here to see if this is a more widespread issue.

Everyone please check your S7 Edge back cover's and reply on this post if it is separating. On my phone the back cover (on volume side) is separating from the phone. The only reason I saw this is because I had to switch the screen protector last week because it was peeling off. It was actually peeling off because that side of the phone is swelling so it's uneven from the rest of the screen. I never noticed it because I rarely take the phone out of the case.

I did a quick search on the Samsung community and android central forums and see dozen's of similar messages related to the back cover separating, overheating from a swollen battery. Please see the attached pictures of the back cover separating on volume button side and a picture of the normal power button side from my phone. Several T-Mobile employees stated it was most likely because of a swelling battery and they had seen this many times before. They suggested I stop using the device immediately and contact Samsung.

The phone was purchased from a T-Mobile retail store. It has been in a Spigen slim case and had a screen protector since day one. The phone was never submerged in water or exposed to any liquids and does not have any physical damage. It has been well taken care of. I have only used it with the Samsung supplied AC charger and USB cable.

I contacted Samsung support today, and was told the phone is out of warranty, even though it says it's "In Warranty" on the service request page. They said I would have to send the phone in but I would be responsible for repairs since it's out of warranty. I don't feel like I should be responsible for the repair since this looks to be a safety issue related to the battery, not a warranty issue.

I hope this issue is addressed immediately because it's not only a defect but a potential safety hazard. Please share if you have the same issue and what the result was if you contacted Samsung already.

 

[Seth Perry1]

Just took my case off and everything looks normal.

 

[steffnz3]

Have had mine for a year and still looks normal as well.

 

[chanchan05]

Mines not bulging. But I know electricals a bit, and my normal practice in batteries is charge only to 90% and recharge at >40%. So my battery never receives maximum stress of fully charged nor does it go to low voltage levels.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Unfortunately for you, whether it's a safety concern or not, battery defect is a warranty issue and unless you paid for an extended warranty or insurance plan phones typically have a 1 year warranty.

My S7 is fine, had it set up waiting to be activated nearly a week before the official launch.

 

[P LR]

Unfortunately for you, whether it's a safety concern or not, battery defect is a warranty issue and unless you paid for an extended warranty or insurance plan phones typically have a 1 year warranty.

My S7 is fine, had it set up waiting to be activated nearly a week before the official launch.

Their website claims 24 month warranty on mobile devices. I've also noticed the swelling/back separating at the exact point and images of the phone as described. Had it for 18 months

 

[pontiac005]

Everything's looks good on mine.

 

[103Softail]

Unfortunately for you, whether it's a safety concern or not, battery defect is a warranty issue and unless you paid for an extended warranty or insurance plan phones typically have a 1 year warranty.

My S7 is fine, had it set up waiting to be activated nearly a week before the official launch.

Unless you're in Australia where consumer Law may cover your phone outside of the "normal" manufacturer warranty period if it is deemed that you haven't had "fair use" of the product. As such, extended warranties over here are a scam!

 

[lynnmichie]

yep mines worse and they also wont fix my battery alone or tell me how much it would cost before sending it on for a week without a phone. after raging at them on Twitter they sent me to a geek squad that was a Samsung repair center too and they said they'd have to charge at least $300 for a new screen as well since the keyboard has slight burn on the screen. not worth it and i agree why should i have to pay for their defect!

 

[nacpeye]

This is my 3rd phone from Verizon. The first happened within the 1st year and they gave me a brand new one, not refurbished. The second happened about 9 months later and this time they gave me a refurbished. Never cost me a cent. Both phones were a lot worse than any shown here. This one has been good since July. I blamed it on, both times, a long car trip, plugged in, and using navigation. They, VZ & Samsung, both said no.

 

[anon(10361435)]

Just this morning my case felt... squishy... I checked the side and yes I have a severe bulge in the case and the volume button side the case split open. I searched the internet and it was all over about galaxy s7 edge and battery swelling. I have a light case on it and really could not tell when this started, so be warned.

I was JUST under 1 year on the warranty (2 weeks!), so I was covered by T-Mobile. I took it to a store and they checked, and gave a replacement under the warranty. I had a heck of a time last year getting my black Friday 2016 deal to actually to process so I was worried they would have messed up my paperwork and say I wasn't covered, long day :\

Guy in the store said, "ya, we are seeing a lot of this". Went so far as to say he saw one just like it earlier in the day.

I'm getting a referb so maybe ... just maybe the battery issue is fixed. Indeed, wishful thinking I know, but I gotta have some hope. He swore I have another years warranty on the referb, again, I know ... all I have is hope anymore.

This smacks of the note 7 debacle but since there's no smoke/fire and no huge uproar, they are probably playing the warranty game. If you get in soon enough your good, for another year...

My wife's identically aged S7 (non edge) has no issues at this point, but the store guy did say specifically the edge.

So I think some people mentioned it... check your phone, if your under a year and have a bulge, get in asap!

I heard a battery replacement is like 70 some bucks but that's from another forum, so grain of salt.

I looked on line and with the right tools and a little know how the s7 appears to not be the worst device to disassemble and replace the battery with, I was pleasantly surprised, though you probably loose water proofing. Your on your own with that one :\

 

[RISHI RAJ Sijaria]

Yes,
My S7 battery has Swollen up( from the volume side)
Yesterday(24th NOV 2017) while I was talking on my phone, I felt it is getting warmer.
I was on speakers , so I looked at my phone and saw battery suddenly swollen up. Afraid that phone is going to burst, I switched is off then and there and today I am going go to Samsung Service center. My phone is out of warranty but I do not expect this from such a high end phone. Literally I felt I was luckily that phone didn't burst. I was very upset and i that moment Samsung just lost a loyal customer. I am not sure who is going to pay the damage but be careful guys.
Will let you know what happened and how Samsung handled my case.

 

[chanchan05]

Yes,
My S7 battery has Swollen up( from the volume side)
Yesterday(24th NOV 2017) while I was talking on my phone, I felt it is getting warmer.
I was on speakers , so I looked at my phone and saw battery suddenly swollen up. Afraid that phone is going to burst, I switched is off then and there and today I am going go to Samsung Service center. My phone is out of warranty but I do not expect this from such a high end phone. Literally I felt I was luckily that phone didn't burst. I was very upset and i that moment Samsung just lost a loyal customer. I am not sure who is going to pay the damage but be careful guys.
Will let you know what happened and how Samsung handled my case.

Price has nothing to do with this. All lithium ion batteries has this potential and not even the most expensive battery is free from this. It's also basically unpreventable since it occurs in specific conditions that is the same thing as the normal operation of the phone. Prolonged exposure to heat, bumps, etc can cause gas formation in the battery. Even charging overnight regularly can cause this if it creates more heat than can be tolerated. Doesn't matter what phone you use.

The only way to completely prevent battery expansion is to create new battery chemical compounds that don't produce gaseous reactions and we don't have that tech yet.

 

[Hunan]

Two S7 Edges here. One for me, the other for my wife. Had to replace the wife's phone due to both the front and the back covers being pushed out. Quite a gap, almost 1/4 inch on the front. Verizon charged $149. Wound up getting a $40 credit after a massive screw up of FedEx shipping. Pretty much the same cost of 13 months of protection fees.

 

[mags8899]

they wont admit it but this is a very common issue. mine is much worse

 

[1Gilly]

Hi. ....the exact same thing has happened to my Galaxy 7 edge. I have had the phone for approximately 18 months and is in immaculate condition otherwise. I have no insurance through Vodaphobe but took the device into them anyway. The man I spoke to said it looks like it's a manufacturers fault and he has sent it off to be looked at. I have seen so many posts on different forums with people with the exact same problem with the 7 Edge, so we are not alone. I won't be giving up if they say they won't replace or repair as its clearly a manufacturers fault. I will keep you posted of the outcome.

 

[Shannon Mendenhall]

It is interesting Apple replaces phones for free with swelling batteries for safety reasons even out of warranty. Just thought it was interesting.

 

[Michael 34104]

It is interesting Apple replaces phones for free with swelling batteries for safety reasons even out of warranty. Just thought it was interesting.

When your phones cost $1,000 I guess replacing those with safety issues is a good idea. LOL

 

[arobb71]

My son just pointed mine out today. The back is detaching. It has not been dropped or gotten any water damage, no cracks orr anything.

 

[Justin P1]

Same exact same thing happening to me - I have s7 edge and T-mobile. My phone got extremely hot and started to smell of burning plastic, I took the case off and noticed the back of the phone separated and battery has swelled. The people at T-mobile said they too have seen this issue but their 3rd party insurance wont cover anything except the Note 7. They want me to pay $175 dollar deductible for a phone if I trade into T-mobile is only worth 50 bucks? My phone is paid for entirely, why would I spend more money plus the $10 dollars a month i have been paying for years for insurance. I'll end up just tossing this phone in the garbage and buying a new one. I really don't think i'll ever buy another Samsung product.