Since 2002, China has seen no fewer than 9 cell phone explosions, which, considering the huge number of cell phones in use there is not too bad. Still, an exploding cell phone evokes a visual image cell phone companies fear and avoid. Recently, a sales associate in a computer store in Guangzhou, China charged his new battery then put the phone into his shirt pocket, where it exploded several minutes later, severing his neck artery and causing him to bleed to death. Chinese police have not declared the make of the phone or of its battery, but Nokia and Motorola have denied any links to the problem. Cell phone use is very popular in China, with most urban workers upgrading their phones every three to six months.

Moreover, counterfeit electronics are rampant and often counterfeit phones are sold with the same brand names as popular phones simply pasted onto the outside. Any battery in any device will explode if not manufactured or installed correctly. Exploding cell phones are not a problem in the United States, where most phones are manufactured by reputable, mainstream companies.