Following reports of more Galaxy Note7s bursting into flames, Samsung on Monday released a statement saying it has stopped sales of the phone and is no longer exchanging original Note7s for ostensibly safe replacement phones.
The statement also encourages owners of replacement Note7s to power down their phones and request either full refunds or exchanges for the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. Moreover, Samsung reiterated its commitment to work with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission—the government body that issued an official recall for the first batch of Note7s that were sold prior to September 15.
Samsung’s statement doesn’t mention the word “recall,” yet everything about the wording suggests a recall of replacement phones is now in effect. What’s more, the statement directs all Note7 owners to a recall page.
Here’s Samsung’s Monday statement via a Samsung spokesperson:
“We are working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate the recently reported cases involving the Galaxy Note7. Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place.”
”We remain committed to working diligently with the CPSC, carriers and our retail partners to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation. Consumers with an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 should power down and take advantage of the remedies available, including a refund at their place of purchase. For more information, consumers should visit samsung.com/us/note7recall or contact 1-844-365-6197.”
Andrew Zuis Andrew Zuis holds up his daughter’s replacement Note7, which allegedly caught fire in Farmington, MN.
The story behind the story: It’s been a very rough week for Samsung’s mobile division. Going back to last Tuesday, as many as five different replacement phones have caught on fire. Today, Samsung first issued a statement explaining it has “adjusted” its production schedule to take the necessary steps for ensuring quality control. Then, a number of hours later, the company issued the full statement quoted above.
It’s a horribly over-used cliche, but, yes, this does feel like deja vu all over again.
In mid-September, responding to numerous reports of phones spontaneously catching on fire, Samsung issued a full recall for the original batch of Note7s. Now the company is effectively issuing a second recall for the ostensibly safe replacement phones. Not much has changed in the revised recall language, though now Samsung’s recall covers replacement phones in addition to original Note7s.
So, if you currently own a Note7, you can exchange it for either a Galaxy S7s or S7 Edge (and pocket the price difference between the Note7 and smaller phones), or request a full money-back refund.
Getting yet another Note7 is no longer a replacement option, and there’s no word yet on whether a third batch of Note7s will be released into the wild.