Recent tests show both the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max can melt plastic trash bags when their flashlights are set to maximum brightness.
Viral social media videos, including a TikTok with over 13 million views, have reignited concerns by showing Samsung phones burning through thin plastic bags.
Experts note this is not unique to Samsung; most modern smartphones with powerful LED flashlights can generate enough heat to melt plastic if left on at close range.
Why does a Galaxy S26 Ultra's flashlight melt plastic faster than an iPhone 17 Pro Max's?
What's the real reason your phone's flashlight can melt a black bag but not a white one?
Do viral videos of melting plastic reveal a design flaw or just misuse of a powerful tool?
Are software warnings enough, or do phones need an automatic heat shutoff for the flashlight?
As phones get more powerful, is heat the next great engineering crisis after battery life?