The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.

The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.

      Battery misalignment and structural flaws raise concerns for engineers

      What’s the situation? A popular power bank has transitioned from a favorite among backpackers to a possible safety risk. An analysis conducted by Lumafield has revealed that the widely available Haribo 20,000 mAh power bank (and the accompanying earphones) has significant internal battery issues, which likely led to its removal from online sales platforms.

      The scans indicated that the battery cells are misaligned, with electrodes either folded or distorted instead of being stacked properly.

      The internal layers of the cells displayed irregular shapes and inconsistent wrapping, pointing to inadequate quality control.

      Lumafield also discovered that the Haribo earbuds have similarly poorly constructed battery cells with defects akin to those found in the power bank.

      The uneven alignment of edges in the Haribo 20,000 mAh power bank / Lumafield

      Why is this significant? Haribo power banks gained popularity among travelers and backpackers due to their substantial 20,000 mAh capacity housed in a compact, lightweight design. However, they have recently been pulled from Amazon, and pending orders have been cancelled. It was at this point that Lumafield utilized an industrial CT scanner to examine the device, uncovering hidden internal defects.

      CT imaging of the power bank revealed that the layers of electrodes do not form a neat configuration. Instead, they distort, bulge, and sometimes misalign, showing a “wavy” pattern rather than a compact arrangement. Such improper stacking greatly heightens the risk of lithium plating or dendrite development, where tiny metal strands can form and potentially lead to internal short circuits or even fires.

      Haribo earbuds Lumafield

      Why is this important for you? If you possess one of these Haribo-branded batteries or earbuds, it is advisable to rethink their usage.

      The issues are structural and undetectable from the outside, meaning the risk persists even if the device appears to be in pristine condition.

      Lumafield's findings underscore that this is not merely about low quality but a safety concern that could lead to overheating, premature failure, or fires.

      What are the next steps? If you are in search of safer alternatives for your travels, consider exploring some of the best compact power bank deals available during the Black Friday sale, featuring options that provide solid construction without compromising on safety.

      Manisha covers technology relevant to daily life, ranging from smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.

      Samsung is quietly preparing a fast charging upgrade for its Galaxy S26 Ultra

      What’s the news? The latest leak of One UI 8.5 hints at a long-anticipated wired charging enhancement for Samsung's flagship device.

      What’s occurred? The recently leaked version of One UI 8.5 includes a new charging label, indicating that the Galaxy S26 series may receive a highly anticipated upgrade in charging speed. An Android Authority report reveals that the One UI 8.5 code mentions "Super Fast Charging 3.0."

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      Google Gemini could soon introduce this long-awaited image editing feature

      What’s the update? If you utilize Google Gemini for generating images with AI, this is significant news. As reported by Android Authority, Google is developing a new image-annotation capability in Gemini, allowing users to draw, highlight, or add text directly onto generated images without leaving the application. A leak shared by TestingCatalog on X suggests that this feature will soon be available on the web version as well. The forthcoming tool would enable users to annotate images by highlighting areas, circling items, or writing notes, all within Gemini’s interface.

      Read more

      21 outstanding Black Friday deals: grab bargains now

      What’s the latest? The Black Friday sales are now underway, and all the major discounts from Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and more are ready for exploration.

      Black Friday has arrived - the turkey has been digested, and significant sales are now available for all to explore. Having participated in this for over a decade, these are the best deals I’ve encountered thus far.

      Shop Amazon's Black Friday deals

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The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard. The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.

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The popular Haribo power bank you have might pose a fire hazard.

A recent teardown reveals that the viral Haribo power bank is poorly designed and could potentially present a fire hazard. Misaligned battery layers and inadequate internal construction raise significant safety issues for those depending on it for travel or everyday use.