Influencer denied boarding after his smart ring swell, had to go to hospital instead: “Won't wear ever again”
In an incident that has taken social media by storm, tech influencer and YouTuber Daniel Rotar faced an unexpected travel setback due to a swollen Samsung Galaxy Ring on his finger. Rotar, the founder of ZONEofTECH, shared his ordeal on X, and his posts have since gone viral, clocking millions of views worldwide. The episode sheds light on how even advanced wearable technology can create unforeseen challenges for users, particularly while travelling.
Swollen smart ring causes travel chaos 
The incident began on September 29, 2025, when Rotar noticed his Samsung smart ring’s battery swelling while he was preparing to board a flight. “Now I cannot take it off, and this thing hurts,” he wrote in his post, alongside a close-up image showing the visibly expanding battery. Rotar also tagged Samsung in his post, seeking guidance on how to resolve the issue. Despite the attention, the swelling device had already become a serious obstacle to his travel plans.
Rotar’s post quickly went viral on X, drawing widespread engagement and sparking conversations about the risks associated with wearable technology. Within hours, Samsung UK responded to his query on the same platform, stating: “We’re sorry to hear about the issue you’re experiencing with your Galaxy Ring, Daniel. As we take such matters very seriously, we'd like to escalate this for you. To get this started, can you please send us a DM?” However, despite Samsung’s response, Rotar was eventually forced to deal with the problem himself, highlighting the urgency and unpredictability of such situations while on the move.
Denied boarding and emergency hospital visit
The situation escalated when Rotar revealed that he was denied boarding due to the swollen smart ring. At this point, he had already been travelling for 47 hours, making the experience especially exhausting. Airlines often enforce strict safety regulations regarding devices containing lithium-ion batteries, which can pose serious hazards if damaged or malfunctioning. A defective lithium-ion battery can overheat, short-circuit, or even catch fire, which explains why Rotar was barred from boarding with the malfunctioning ring.
Following the airline’s intervention, Rotar was directed to a hospital as an emergency case, where medical professionals successfully removed the swollen device from his finger. The removal of the ring was a critical step, but the ordeal left him unable to catch his originally scheduled flight. Consequently, he had to arrange for a hotel stay overnight and book a flight for the following day, further extending his travel fatigue and inconvenience. In the aftermath, Rotar expressed his frustration, stating that he “won’t be wearing a smart ring ever again.”
Lessons on wearable tech and travel safety
Social media users responded to the incident with curiosity and concern, speculating on the reasons behind the swelling. Rotar himself admitted uncertainty but suggested several contributing factors, including the heat from Hawaii, exposure to saltwater, previous flights, and a battery that had reportedly shown problems before. His detailed account allowed followers to better understand how environmental and usage conditions could impact wearable devices, especially those containing lithium-ion batteries.
The experience of Rotar highlights the hidden pitfalls that may be encountered with state-of-the-art technology. The posts were viewed by millions of people, who gave advice as well as expressions of concern. The incident is an example of a lesson to the user of the importance of awareness about the condition of their devices, as well as a reminder of the possibility of unexpected failures in even minor wearable devices.
Rotar’s post quickly went viral on X, drawing widespread engagement and sparking conversations about the risks associated with wearable technology. Within hours, Samsung UK responded to his query on the same platform, stating: “We’re sorry to hear about the issue you’re experiencing with your Galaxy Ring, Daniel. As we take such matters very seriously, we'd like to escalate this for you. To get this started, can you please send us a DM?” However, despite Samsung’s response, Rotar was eventually forced to deal with the problem himself, highlighting the urgency and unpredictability of such situations while on the move.
Denied boarding and emergency hospital visit
The situation escalated when Rotar revealed that he was denied boarding due to the swollen smart ring. At this point, he had already been travelling for 47 hours, making the experience especially exhausting. Airlines often enforce strict safety regulations regarding devices containing lithium-ion batteries, which can pose serious hazards if damaged or malfunctioning. A defective lithium-ion battery can overheat, short-circuit, or even catch fire, which explains why Rotar was barred from boarding with the malfunctioning ring.
Following the airline’s intervention, Rotar was directed to a hospital as an emergency case, where medical professionals successfully removed the swollen device from his finger. The removal of the ring was a critical step, but the ordeal left him unable to catch his originally scheduled flight. Consequently, he had to arrange for a hotel stay overnight and book a flight for the following day, further extending his travel fatigue and inconvenience. In the aftermath, Rotar expressed his frustration, stating that he “won’t be wearing a smart ring ever again.”
Lessons on wearable tech and travel safety
Social media users responded to the incident with curiosity and concern, speculating on the reasons behind the swelling. Rotar himself admitted uncertainty but suggested several contributing factors, including the heat from Hawaii, exposure to saltwater, previous flights, and a battery that had reportedly shown problems before. His detailed account allowed followers to better understand how environmental and usage conditions could impact wearable devices, especially those containing lithium-ion batteries.
The experience of Rotar highlights the hidden pitfalls that may be encountered with state-of-the-art technology. The posts were viewed by millions of people, who gave advice as well as expressions of concern. The incident is an example of a lesson to the user of the importance of awareness about the condition of their devices, as well as a reminder of the possibility of unexpected failures in even minor wearable devices.
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