Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone recall due to battery fires/explosions

[Ciel]

Samsung’s Note 7s are being pulled from shelves in 10 countries, including South Korea and the United States, just two weeks after the product’s launch. Customers who already bought Note 7s will be able to swap them for new smartphones in about two weeks, said Koh Dong-jin, president of Samsung’s mobile business.

Samsung said it had confirmed 35 instances of Note 7s catching fire or exploding. There have been no reports of injuries related to the problem.
The company said it has not found a way to tell exactly which phones may endanger users out of the 2.5 million Note 7s already sold globally. It estimated that about 24 out of 1 million units may have a faulty battery.

After complaints surfaced online, Samsung found that a battery cell made by one of its two battery suppliers caused the phone to catch fire. Koh refused to name the supplier.
“There was a tiny problem in the manufacturing process, so it was very difficult to figure out,” Koh told reporters at a news conference. “It will cost us so much it makes my heart ache. Nevertheless, the reason we made this decision is because what is most important is customer safety.”

https://www.thestar.com/business/201...explosion.html

Canadian Customers may call 1-800-SAMSUNG for additional information, Samsung Canada said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/sa...te-7-1.3745619

[Ciel]

Canadians are eligible for exchanges:

Samsung’s parent company said last week that it would set up a product exchange after it confirmed 35 cases of Note 7s that exploded or caught fire due to defective batteries from one supplier.
Owners of the phone in Canada can exchange a recalled device for a new one of the same model.
The company says another option is to exchange a recalled device for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge through the carrier or retailer that sold the device.



Samsung says Note 7 owners can initiate the exchange by visiting a special-purpose website
It also has a toll-free phone number: 1-800-517-3507.

https://www.thestar.com/business/201...ons-fires.html

[Ciel]

http://forum.telus.com/t5/Mobility/S...now/ta-p/63714

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall...60168r-eng.php

The Samsung Canada president indicated that phones that have not been turned in might be only allowed to reach 60%
charge and also receive notices about the battery safety. He wants all affected phones brought in.

[Ciel]

Last call for Samsung Galaxy 7-manufacturer won't be making them anymore.
https://www.thestar.com/business/201...ing-sales.html
Turn off your Galaxy 7 phone if you still have one. Solutions are still being worked upon.

Note the photo that the Star used in its tweet: https://twitter.com/TorontoStar/stat...02268914384896

The foil pan is a good metaphor-item may be hot.

[Ciel]

Still using a Samsung Galaxy 7 smartphone? You cannot fly with it in Canada or the US-the phone is now banned on flights.

WASHINGTON - Passengers and flight crews will be banned from bringing Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on airline flights under emergency orders issued Friday by both Transport Canada and the U.S. Department of Transportation in response to reports of the phones catching fire. The orders, which are effective immediately in Canada and at noon EDT Saturday in the U.S., say the phones may not be carried on board or packed in checked bags on flights to and from Canada and the United States or within either country. The phones also can't be shipped as air cargo.
Passengers with the phones will not be allowed to board planes. And those who try to evade the U.S. ban by packing the phones in checked luggage may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines. Transport officials in both countries warned that carrying the phones in checked luggage increases the potential danger to the flight.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/69...rom-airliners/

[Ciel]

The phone is about to become a spare parts box, doorstopper or obsolete technology.

Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices returned.
To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19^th and will be distributed within 30 days. This software update will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices. Together with our carrier partners, we will be notifying consumers through multiple touchpoints to encourage any remaining Galaxy Note7 owners to participate in the program and to take advantage of the financial incentives available.

http://gizmodo.com/samsung-is-about-...ampaign=buffer