In half-page adverts carried by major South Korean newspapers, the technology giant on Wednesday called on the users of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone to agree to a software update aimed at limiting battery recharges to 60 percent. The update for South Korean users will start at 2 a.m. on September 20, it said. “Samsung is continuing to work with the (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and our carrier partners to develop and evaluate solutions that are best for US Note7 owners”, said Wimberly.
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Royal Air Maroc has banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones which has been exploding and injuring users. (This isn’t going super-smoothly however, with Gizmodo reporting that many carriers don’t have replacement phones – and customers are potentially waiting for weeks to get one.) Likewise, airlines are warning passengers not to use the risky handsets (or to charge them) mid-flight. It’s thought it could take until October for Samsung to make up its stock in key markets.
The South Korean handset maker is reportedly planning to keep the Note 7’s battery charge to a safe level and thereby prevent further instances of short-circuit, fires and explosions with the flagship phone.
In the meantime, Samsung has issued statements to its various markets – including Ireland and the United Kingdom – whereby it has said it has stopped shipping the affected Galaxy Note 7 devices and that current owners will be able to exchange the device for a new one from 19 September.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall saga continues.
No suggestion of a wider Chinese recall yet, as a different battery supplier is said to have been used in the country.
The company has urged consumers to immediately turn off the phones and get them replaced with the new Note 7.
Since Samsung 005930, +4.23% announced the recall on September 2, more than $10 billion has been wiped off the company’s market value.
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At least 35 Galaxy Note 7s have had some sort of issue as of Sept 1. Samsung didn’t respond to a request for more information on the software patch. We know we will as lithium ion batteries with a problem are very risky. “An early launch of the Galaxy S8 could help Samsung reduce sales impact from the recall”.
