Samsung Galaxy S3 Catches Fire (Literally) In Britain Amid US Launch

User Dillo2k10 posted pictures of a burnt Samsung Galaxy S3, which she claims set alight in her car holster. 

So I driving along today with my Galaxy S3 in my car mount when suddenly a white flame sparks and a bang came out of the phone. 

I pulled in to look at my phone, the phone burned from the inside out. Burned through the plastic and melted my case to my phone. The phone kept working but without any signal. 

I brought it to the Carphone Warehouse and they told me that they couldn't replace it for me that they had to send it off to be checked out first. Not even a replacement phone, left with nothing. 

The phone was destroyed and it slightly burned a piece of plastic on the inside of my car. 

And they are refusing to give me a replacement' they had to send it off. Probably nothing I can do, but Im really annoyed. That could have burned the side of my face or through my pocket and my leg, or set fire to my bed. It's very dangerous, she posted on www.boards.ie.

A Samsung spokesperson told The Inquirer that they were investigating the case. 

Once the investigation is complete, we will be able to provide further details on the situation. We are committed to providing our customers with the safest products possible and are looking at this seriously, Samsung said. 

The S3 heralds a 4.8-inch screen, Qualcomm S4 processor, voice control and face recognition. The new Super AMOLED display is 22 percent larger than its predecessor, bringing the phone into the Galaxy Note's phone/tablet gray zone.

Samsung launched a face recognition feature on its latest phone in an effort to the make the smartphone experience more natural. The phone uses its front camera to identify the user's eye movement and ensures it never goes dark or switches off while the user is looking at it.

Samsung has also improved its voice control feature with a sophisticated, Siri-like voice recognition system dubbed S voice. The service allows users to make verbal demands to control their phone. Texts and emails can be dictated and photographs can be taken through voice commands using the feature.

The S3 also includes an NFC chip, which enables content sharing -- including video -- through tapping two phones together. The chip can also be used to make mobile payments.

The new Pop up Play feature on the phone enables multitasking, allowing users to open a video in a window on the screen, and then use other apps with the rest of the screen.

Specs

Screen size: 4.8 inchProcessor: Qualcomm S4 processor

Memory size: Up to 32 GB (+64 GB with card)

Operating system: Android Ice Cream SandwichCamera: eight megapixels          

Weight: 133 grams

Dimensions:Height - 136mm                   Width -     70mm                Depth -    8.5mm

Battery: 2100mAh