By Diksha Modi,News18

Copyright news18

Technology has increasingly promised to simplify daily life, from smartwatches to fitness bands and the latest innovation – smart rings, which combine health monitoring with wearable convenience. However, these gadgets can occasionally backfire, with potentially serious consequences.
For most travellers, a trip to the airport is a routine affair, but for Daniel Rotar, what began as a simple journey turned unexpectedly tense when a small piece of technology disrupted his plans. His smart ring, designed to merge convenience with health monitoring, suddenly swelled on his finger, leaving him unable to board his flight and forcing an urgent visit to the hospital.
Rotar recounted the incident on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a photograph of the swollen ring on his finger. “Ahhh… this is… not good. My Samsung Galaxy Ring’s battery started swelling. While it’s on my finger. And while I’m about to board a flight. Now I cannot take it off and this thing hurts,” he wrote.
Soon, he posted an update on his handle, saying that he was “denied boarding” and needed to stay at a hotel before heading back home. “I was denied boarding due to this (been travelling for ~47h straight so this is really nice). Need to pay for a hotel for the night now and get back home tomorrow. I was sent to the hospital, as an emergency, ring got removed. You can see the battery all swollen,” he wrote.
He swore never to wear a smart ring ever again.

– I was denied boarding due to this (been travelling for ~47h straight so this is really nice ?). Need to pay for a hotel for the night now and get back home tomorrow?
– was sent to the hospital, as an emergency
– ring got removed
You can see the battery all… https://t.co/SRPfYI92Zg pic.twitter.com/ob8uUp5BeW
— Daniel (@ZONEofTECH) September 29, 2025

According to Rotar, the ring, purchased in January 2025, had an advertised battery life of seven days. Over time, the device’s charge had diminished to just a day and a half, prompting him to reduce charging frequency. On the day of the incident, the battery, fully depleted, suddenly expanded, trapping the ring on his finger.
The device, priced up to £399 (approximately Rs 40,000), has since drawn widespread attention online. Social media users flooded Rotar with advice and warnings about potential hazards of wearable electronics.
The incident underscores the risks posed by emerging wearable technologies, particularly when they involve batteries in close contact with the skin. Airlines and airport authorities may now face questions about screening procedures for electronic accessories, while consumers are reminded to monitor the condition of their devices vigilantly.