The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) late Thursday issued an official recall of 1 million Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.
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Consumers should immediately stop using and power down the recalled Galaxy Note7 devices purchased before September 15, 2016.
Despite the risk of fire or explosion, the vast majority of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners in the USA have been holding onto their devices.
Following an investigation into the well-documented battery issues that have caused widespread fires and explosions, the government regulator has intervened to recall all Galaxy Note 7 phones sold in the United States before September 15.
Customers can get a refund or exchange their phone for a different phone. The FAA told airline passengers to turn off the phones when flying due to the safety risk. Samsung initially announced plans to recall devices two weeks ago but the process has been marked with what some have said was unclear information, CNBC reported.
Now that it’s all official on a governmental level, it means there are now strict (though tough to enforce) restrictions on being able to bring recalled units onto planes in the U.S. Naturally there are also edicts against importing the phones until the problem is deemed to have been resolved.
Samsung has denied a broader problem with exploding batteries in its popular smartphones, saying that the battery issue – which several reports allege is causing phones to explode and start fires – is isolated to its recently-debuted Note7.
In the worst possible timing for Samsung, its biggest competitor is rolling out a much-anticipated new model on Friday.
Kaye said about 1 million devices are affected.
Samsung has received 92 reports of batteries overheating, 26 of them leading to users being burned, according tot he CPSC. If you opt for the S7, Samsung will replace your accessories as well. Any of these routes can provide a replacement device or refund.
Here’s a quick contact reference for users who’ve purchased a Note 7 through carriers or brick-and-mortar retailers.
What are your thoughts on the recall and Samsung’s handling of it?
The FAA and several global airlines have now stepped in and issued a warning for travelers not to charge or power on their Note 7s during flights. All variants (color wise) of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 are now officially recalled from all US wireless carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint and even Best Buy.
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The recall, announced through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, comes after reports of the phone’s battery triggering explosions.
