MEP: Samsung has withdrawn all of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from sale globally after a spate of fires involving “safe” replacements and urged owners of the phone to turn off its flagship while it investigates new reports of the device catching fire.
“If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone, even one of the supposedly safe replacements, turn it off. Now,” the South Korean firm said in statement.
Samsung’s decision to pull Note 7s off the shelves for the second time in less than two months not only raises fresh doubts about the firm’s quality control but could result in huge financial and reputational costs.
Samsung recalled 2.5 million phones in September after complaints of exploding batteries, and later insisted that all replaced devices were safe.
This is just the latest setback for Samsung. The Note 7, released in mid-August, was Samsung’s chance to take on rival Apple by offering the most advanced phone on the market to consumers looking for a premium device. The phone, with a 5.7-inch screen and priced at about $850, launched to rave reviews, weeks ahead of the iPhone 7 and Google’s Pixel phone. But Samsung recalled 2.5 million — every single handset sold (outside China) — after nearly a hundred reports of the devices catching fire.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said it is continuing to investigate at least five incidents of fire or overheating reported since a formal recall was announced on 15 September.
“No one should have to be concerned their phone will endanger them, their family or their property,” Elliot Kaye, chairman of the safety commission, said in a statement. He called Samsung’s decision to suspend all sales “the right move” in light of “ongoing safety concerns”.
Top US and Australian carriers on Monday suspended sales or exchanges of the Note 7s, while aviation authorities banned passengers using the phones, after smoke from a replacement device forced the evacuation of a passenger plane in the United States last week.
Investors wiped 14.7 trillion South Korean won ($13.2bn) off Samsung Electronics’ market value at mid-day trade on Tuesday as shares tumbled 7 percent to touch a two-week low.
