Latest news with #3C
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular power bank recalls 490,000 products & suspends production after overheating risk revealed
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. It comes amid a growing concern for aviation safety as passengers carry more battery-powered items on flights Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR portable power bank maker has recalled its products and halted operations. The recall by Romoss Technology, which is based in Shenzhen, China, comes just weeks after the country banned uncertified power banks on aircraft. 1 Scroll down to see the best power banks on the market Romoss has suspended production for six months after it was caught in a scandal over safety issues, according to Chinese media reports. The company has also recalled nearly 490,000 power banks from three models made between June 2023 and July 2024. Overheating risks It follows an investigation which found metal debris in their battery cells posed overheating risks. Romoss notified employees it was suspending operations from July 1 and reportedly gave them a furlough of a monthly salary – equal to 80 per cent of Shenzhen's minimum wage. READ MORE TECH NEWS UP IN SMOKE iPhone owners warned not to use power bank from popular brand over 'fire risk' The manufacturer has over 690 employees 'but only a small group involved in the recall incident is expected to continue working to ensure basic operations', a staff member told Yicai Global. The company has taken its e-commerce shops offline. It has also removed products listed on leading e-commerce platforms such as Temu. China's aviation regulator last month banned passengers from carrying power banks without Chinese safety certification markings or those recently recalled by manufacturers. The move, applicable to anyone boarding a flight in China, followed a series of global incidents involving lithium battery products overheating on planes. This included power banks. Beware phone 'heat' alert that reveals if your phone is broken The Civil Aviation Administration said power banks must clearly have the '3C', or China Compulsory Certification, marking to be allowed on aircraft. The certification is mandatory for products that may impact health, safety and environmental protection. On June 10, according to local media, Chinese authorities had temporarily suspended Apex Wuxi's 3C certification after it reportedly altered separator materials in battery cells. Apex Wuxi is one of China's leading producers of core power bank parts, which it supplies to Romoss and its rival Anker Innovations. The suspension prompted Romoss and Anker to recall a combined 1.2 million power bank units because of combustion risks. Lithium batteries in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, electronic cigarettes, and power banks can produce smoke, fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short-circuit. Growing concern They are a growing concern for aviation safety as passengers carry more battery-powered items on flights. Last year, the US Federal Aviation Administration recorded three incidents of lithium batteries overheating on planes every two weeks globally compared to just under one a week in 2018. In January this year, South Korea said that a spare power bank was the possible cause of a fire that had engulfed a Busan Air flight to Hong Kong. Since that incident, airlines globally have been tightening power bank rules. Aviation rules generally say power banks should be carried in cabin baggage but increasingly airlines are banning their use on board and say they must be kept within view to spot any problems. The Sun has contacted Romoss Technology for comment.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Popular power bank recalls 490,000 products & suspends production after overheating risk revealed
A POPULAR portable power bank maker has recalled its products and halted operations. The recall by Romoss Technology, which is based in Shenzhen, China, comes just weeks after the country 1 Scroll down to see the best power banks on the market Romoss has suspended production for six months after it was caught in a scandal over safety issues, according to Chinese media reports. The company has also recalled nearly 490,000 power banks from three models made between June 2023 and July 2024. Overheating risks It follows an investigation which found metal debris in their battery cells posed overheating risks. Romoss notified employees it was suspending operations from July 1 and reportedly gave them a furlough of a monthly salary – equal to 80 per cent of Shenzhen's minimum wage. READ MORE TECH NEWS The manufacturer has over 690 employees 'but only a small group involved in the recall incident is expected to continue working to ensure basic operations', a staff member told Yicai Global. The company has taken its e-commerce shops offline. It has also removed products listed on leading e-commerce platforms such as Temu. China's aviation regulator last month banned passengers from carrying power banks without Chinese safety certification markings or those recently recalled by manufacturers. Most read in Phones & Gadgets The move, applicable to anyone boarding a flight in China, followed a series of global incidents involving lithium battery products overheating on planes. This included power banks. Beware phone 'heat' alert that reveals if your phone is broken The Civil Aviation Administration said power banks must clearly have the '3C', or China Compulsory Certification, marking to be allowed on aircraft. The certification is mandatory for products that may impact health, safety and environmental protection. On June 10, according to local media, Chinese authorities had temporarily suspended Apex Wuxi's 3C certification after it reportedly altered separator materials in battery cells. Apex Wuxi is one of China's leading producers of core power bank parts, which it supplies to Romoss and its rival Anker Innovations. The suspension prompted Romoss and Anker to recall a combined 1.2 million power bank units because of combustion risks. Lithium batteries in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, electronic cigarettes, and power banks can produce smoke, fire or extreme heat when manufacturing faults or damage cause them to short-circuit. Growing concern They are a growing concern for aviation safety as passengers carry more battery-powered items on flights. Last year, the US Federal Aviation Administration recorded three incidents of lithium batteries overheating on planes every two weeks globally In January this year, South Korea said that a spare power bank was the possible cause of a fire that had engulfed a Since that incident, airlines globally have been tightening power bank rules. Aviation rules generally say power banks should be carried in cabin baggage but increasingly airlines are banning their use on board and say they must be kept within view to spot any problems. The Sun has contacted Romoss Technology for comment. Best power banks: At a glance The Sun's Tom Tyers narrowed down the best power banks to keep your devices powered up no matter where you are. Here are his best picks: Best overall: £89.99 £59.99 Best budget: £21 £15 Best for travel: Best for iPhone: £35.99 £26.99 Best for Android: Best for multiple devices: £89.99 £74.99
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Android Authority
Z Fold 7? Samsung exec confirms that Galaxy Z Fold 8 is in the works
TL;DR A Samsung executive has confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is already in development. The executive was responding to a question about a possible Galaxy Z Fold 7 Special Edition phone. This news comes after the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition was released last year as an unofficial proof of concept for the Fold 7. Samsung has just launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and it looks like a major design upgrade over last year's foldable phone. However, a company executive has also confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is in the pipeline. We asked a Samsung South Africa executive about the possibility of a Galaxy Z Fold 7 Special Edition phone. This comes after the company launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition in two countries last year, which seemed like a proof of concept for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. 'Potentially. I think again, as you say, proof of concept. I think we'll look at (it) and engage whether the requirement is there in the market right now (sic),' the executive explained. 'A Fold 8 is already in design,' he added when talking about the possibility of a new SE model. It's no surprise to hear that Samsung is working on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Smartphone companies typically start work on a successor device before the current model is released. So it would be more surprising to hear that the Z Fold 8 wasn't in the pipeline. However, companies generally don't acknowledge these upcoming models at such an early juncture. This news also comes after the Samsung W26 was reportedly listed on China's 3C regulatory website — the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition was launched in China as the W25. There's no guarantee that the W26 is the Galaxy Z Fold 7 Special Edition, though. After all, Samsung previously launched regular Fold models in China under the W-series moniker, with tweaked colors/finishes and minor spec differences. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Thinnest, lightest Z Fold to date • More durable design • 200MP primary camera • Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy MSRP: $1,999.99 Thin, light, high-powered, and it folds! The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers an 8-inch OLED screen, a 200MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, and a 4,400mAh battery. The Galaxy AI experience is baked in, offering tools across the camera, Circle to Search, and much more. Best of all, Samsung continues to evolve their fold folding hinge assembly, promising reduced visibility of the crease. See price at Samsung See price at Amazon Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Foldables, Watches, and a Glimpse into the Future
Samsung is all set to dazzle tech enthusiasts with its much-awaited Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, which kicks off today, July 9, at 7:30 PM IST. The high-profile launch will take place live from New York City, but fans across the globe can catch the action on Samsung's official YouTube channel and stay updated through its social media handles. The star attractions at this year's event are expected to be Samsung's newest foldable smartphones — the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and a potential newcomer, the Z Flip 7 FE. Adding to the excitement is the buzz around a triple foldable prototype, as well as fresh updates to the company's wearable lineup, including the Galaxy Watch 8 and a possible new version of the Watch Ultra. What's New in Foldables? Leading the foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is reportedly Samsung's slimmest foldable yet, with a folded thickness of just 8.9mm and 4.2mm when unfolded. Tech insiders suggest that the Fold 7 will feature a larger cover screen and an impressive 200-megapixel camera, raising the bar for mobile photography. Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7 could sport a daring redesign with a nearly all-screen outer display, giving users more utility even when the phone is closed. Interestingly, instead of the typical Qualcomm chip, it might debut with Samsung's in-house Exynos 2500 chipset, marking a shift in hardware strategy. Affordable Foldables in the Pipeline One of the biggest surprises could be the introduction of a more budget-friendly foldable, the Z Flip 7 FE. Rumoured to feature a smaller external display, akin to the Z Flip 6, it may be powered by the Exynos 2400e, a scaled-down variant of the chipset used in some Galaxy S24 models. If launched, this device could make foldable smartphones more accessible to a broader consumer base. Additionally, Samsung might tease its much-rumoured triple-foldable phone — a futuristic device with a dual-hinge design. Recently spotted in China's 3C certification database under model number SM-F9680, the foldable is confirmed to support 25W wired charging. While a full launch might be months away, this tease is expected to offer a sneak peek into Samsung's long-term vision for mobile design. There's speculation that this tri-fold device may launch exclusively in China and South Korea initially due to its complex design and high production costs. A global release could follow depending on consumer interest and early market response. Wearables Get a Refresh The Galaxy Unpacked 2025 isn't just about foldables. Samsung is also set to unveil the Galaxy Watch 8, which might mark the return of the much-loved rotating bezel and bring back the 'Classic' branding. The Galaxy Watch Ultra could also make an appearance with upgraded specs and new colour options. As Samsung continues to push the envelope in foldable technology and wearable innovation, today's event could shape the next wave of smart devices for the year ahead. All eyes are on the launch stage in New York — and for those tuning in from home, there's plenty to look forward to.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chinese power bank maker suspends production after recall, aviation ban
The future of Romoss was thrown into uncertainty after its products were found to have serious defects that could lead to fires. — SCMP One of China's biggest portable power bank makers has suspended production for at least six months and closed its stores on major Chinese e-commerce platforms after a massive recall of its products and the decision by the country's civil aviation authority to ban unlicensed power banks on flights. Shenzhen-based Romoss Technology, which sells its products in dozens of countries around the world, notified its employees that the company would suspend operations for six months starting on Monday, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Jiemian on Sunday. Meanwhile, its online shops on e-commerce platforms Taobao, and Pinduoduo have been taken offline. Products listed on websites serving overseas clients, including Temu, were also offline as of Monday. Taobao is operated by Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the South China Morning Post . The future of Romoss was thrown into uncertainty after its products were found to have serious defects that could lead to fires. On June 16, the company recalled nearly 500,000 portable chargers from three models due to problems with battery cells manufactured between June 5, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Romoss was not the only power bank maker that recalled its products. Anker, based in Changsha, capital of central Hunan province, last month recalled over 712,000 units across seven power bank models. The company attributed the issue to an unidentified supplier, stating that 'unauthorised changes to raw materials' compromised insulation and led to overheating with repeated use. China Business News reported that after consultations with the State Administration for Market Regulation, all 3C certifications on Romoss power banks had been suspended, and the company ceased production of all lithium battery products. China Compulsory Certification, or 3C, is a mandatory safety and quality certification system for products sold in China. Chinese air travellers were caught off guard when the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a ban on unlicensed lithium-powered charging banks, following the overheating incidents. The ban came into effect two days after the notice was issued on June 28. Hong Kong restricted carry-on power banks effective April 7 after a series of power bank-related safety concerns. Passengers were prohibited from storing power banks in overhead luggage compartments. In March, a flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to divert to Fuzhou after a fire broke out, reportedly from an overheated power bank. – South China Morning Post
