Samsung Note 7: U.S. regulators order 1m phones recall

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said on Friday it will resume selling new Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to customers in South Korea starting on September 28, as the firm seeks to limit the fallout from a costly recall of the high-end device.

The phones in the government ordered recall are blamed for causing dozens of fires in communities across the country.

Sales of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge helped push the company to its highest profit in two years, after several quarters of slowing growth in the smartphone market. While speaking with reporters, Kaye appeared to blast Samsung for not coordinating with his agency. Others have angrily switched to Apple or other phone providers.

Samsung has said the problem involves about 2.5 million smartphones worldwide; authorities say that includes about 1 million in the United States.

Here’s what to do if you own one of Samsung’s new smartphones.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KRX:005930) has issued an official video in which President and COO of Samsung Electronics America, Tim Baxter has apologized to the customers over the Note 7 battery defects.

Even before the national recall, airline authorities in the United States and Europe anxious about fire risk urged passengers not to use or charge the Galaxy Note 7 on flights. In all, the company has received 92 reports of batteries overheating in the USA, as well as 55 incidents of property damage from phones that have exploded or caught fire. It said property damage included fires in cars and a garage. It’s therefore no surprise that the FAA, which last week strongly advised airline passengers from using the Note 7, has banned use of the device during flight.

Impacted customers can find more detail over at the Samsung website. A Samsung spokesperson has told CNN sales will recommence in South Korea on September 28.

Despite the warnings and the recall, most users kept on using their devices as if nothing was wrong. In a recent instance, a vehicle fire occurred when a passenger was charging his phone in the auto.

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A week later, the company and the commission issued separate statements that urged consumers to stop using the Note 7. He promises “loyal customers in the Samsung family” that new, less-volatile phones will be available “no later than 21 September”. Hit the “Check” button, and in a few seconds you’ll know if that phone is part of the recall. Firstly, passengers must turn off their Galaxy Note 7 device and disconnect it from any charging equipment. With that said, I think it’s going to be pretty obvious – white = bad, green = good.