Oddbean

In this case, small explosives were added to the devices. It is possible that a device could be made to explode just by overheating the battery inside, but the time it takes to catch fire would vary depending on how much battery power was left. So for instant explosions, explosives are needed beyond just the normal internal battery.

So the good news is you'd have warning before a battery-based attack goes off. But the bad news is, it could still be used to start a fire. But more good news is, a small device like a phone can still have its fire-starting potential contained fairly easily by keeping an eye on it and keeping it somewhere fireproof when you're not keeping an eye on it. But more bad news is, people who live in apartment buildings can't keep an eye on every device their neighbors have. But more good news is, major corporations wouldn't want to take the liability of burning down apartment buildings by allowing battery protection security to be compromised like that. But more bad news is, Samsung already took the time to rig some phones to start fires about 8 years ago, while also being known as the kingpin of the global battery market, so the signal has already been sent that no battery company on earth would ever necessarily give a fuck about protecting customers and insurance companies seeing that warning in the past are probably already prepared to cover whatever liability will emerge from future supply chain issues.