Samsung has suspended all pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 7 in South Africa, the company has told MyBroadband.
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In recent days, it emerged that the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a similar ban for the Note7, after a growing number of incidents in which the new flagship phone caught fire, and some in which its battery exploded.
Customers will also get a $25.00 gift card.
Federal Aviation Administration considers banning Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 handset outright from passenger aircraft, three airlines in Australia-Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia-have made a decision to continue letting the potentially explosive gadget on board, so long as passengers don’t use or charge them during flight. “We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible”.
The recall follows reports of the 988,900 won ($885) phone igniting while charging – an embarrassing blow to Samsung, which prides itself on its manufacturing prowess and had been banking on the devices to add momentum to a recovery in its mobile business.
A subsequent investigation revealed that faulty battery cells from one of its two suppliers were at the root of the issue. Samsung certainly isn’t taking this issue lightly.
“We are excited about getting the product when it lands”, he said.
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Samsung Australia issued the recall just before midnight on Monday, recommending users backup their data and turn the potentially risky phones off.
