“These incidents have occurred while charging and during normal use, which has led us to call for consumers to power down their Note 7s”.
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A model poses for photographs with a Galaxy Note 7 new smartphone during its launching ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, August 11, 2016.
A major recall on a popular smartphone may affect how you fly; the Federal Aviation Administration is urging passengers not to turn on or charge the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 because of defective batteries that may explode or catch fire.
Last week, Samsung ordered a global recall of the jumbo phones after its investigation of explosion reports found the rechargeable lithium batteries were at fault. The Note series is one of the most expensive lineups released by Samsung, and the devices usually inherit designs and features of the Galaxy S phones that debut in the spring. The manufacturer has recalled the phones and has asked the customers not to use it.
The three biggest USA airlines – American, Delta and United – said Friday they were studying the FAA warning, but it was not clear how or if they would make sure that passengers keep their Note 7s powered off.
CPSC, which is an independent agency of the US government, said in a consumer warning on Friday afternoon that Note 7 devices have resulted in fires after lithium-ion batteries inside became overheated and burst. Canada’s transport ministry made a similar recommendation on Friday. For now, Note 7 customers are cut off from this entertainment. “Not to stow them in any checked-in baggage”, the Government’s Office of Director General of Civil Aviation, said in a public notice on Friday.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd 005930.KS said it was working with the agency.
“It’s going to set up a persistent issue over time”, he said.
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This is “a huge black eye for Samsung”, TECHnalysis Research President Bob O’Donnell said.
