SAMSUNG’S ISSUE WITH the Galaxy Note 7′s battery, which caused a small number of devices to catch fire or explode while charging, continues as it takes further steps to solve it.
The latest development sees Note 7 owners in Australia being offered full refunds or replacements if they return their devices to Samsung. It also advised them to turn off their phones and use an alternative device until a remedy is provided.
More than 51,000 phones were voluntarily recalled in the country by Samsung Electronics Australia because of “isolated battery cell issues“. Customers who return one can receive a replacement, and use a courtesy device while they wait, or get a full refund.
Late last week, Samsung said it was suspending sales of its latest flagship device and said it would offer new devices for those who have already bought it. It stopped sales on 1 September after it confirmed 35 cases globally where the battery caught fire or exploded while it was being charged.
Roughly 65% of the batteries for the smartphone were supplied by Samsung SDI with the remainder made by Hong Kong company Amperex Technology.
Samsung is recalling about 2.5 million Note 7 devices, and has sold one million since it first launched. While it didn’t confirm how much the replacement would cost, its head of its smartphone business said it would be a “heartbreaking amount”, according to Bloomberg.
In a statement on Friday, Samsung Ireland said it would “voluntarily replace” any current Note 7 devices with a new one over the coming weeks. Those looking for more information can contact its customer service team on 01 695 0367.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible,” Samsung Ireland said in a statement.
The timing has been less than perfect for Samsung as its biggest rival, Apple, prepares to announce the next version of the iPhone tomorrow evening. It’s also expected to announce a new version of Apple Watch as well as final details of iOS 10, its mobile operating system.
Despite that, the company’s smartphones have been on the up thanks to both positive critical and public reception. In July, it reported its most profitable quarter in nearly two years as sales of the Galaxy S7 helped boost sales while the Note 7 has received positive reviews before it was released.
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