Samsung urged South Korean consumers Saturday to stop using its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, following a similar warning by the U.S. consumer agency and several airlines who fear battery explosions. There is the danger they can catch fire and Samsung has identified 35 cases worldwide of the batteries bursting into flames.
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“Until a replacement device is provided, Samsung asks all customers with a Galaxy Note 7 smartphone to power down your device and return it to its place of purchase at your earliest opportunity”, the statement added.
Samsung is the world’s top smartphone maker, outpacing its American rival Apple.
Oman Air on Sunday issued a warning prohibiting its passengers from using or charging the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices onboard its flights.
It further advised passengers to not pack or store the phone in their check-in baggage.
“We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and exchange them as soon as possible”, said Koh Dong-jin, head of Samsung’s smartphone business.
PAL also said these devices are not allowed as checked-in items, but may be hand carried for as long as these are switched off at all times. “New Note7 replacement devices will be issued to exchange program participants upon completion of the CPSC process”.
The flag carrier’s move came following some foreign airlines stopped their customers from taking the phone online.
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Singapore Airlines has also joined the Taiwanese carriers in banning their use in the cabin, along with other carriers such as Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways and Royal Brunei Airlines. According to its investigation, the company believes that the Note 7’s rechargeable Lithium Ion battery is at fault in causing the fires.
