Samsung recalls over 50000 Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in Australia

Samsung announced details Friday of an exchange program for the Galaxy Note 7, which is voluntarily being recalled over concerns that the battery could catch fire while charging.

The Korea Herald also notes that Samsung SDI could be stuck paying to replace the faulty batteries. Only 35 cases have been reported worldwide, so Samsung said the recall decision had been a hard one to make.

Industry watchers, however, said the number may increase as there might be incidents not yet reported to the manufacturer.

Samsung is recalling about 2.5 million Note 7 devices, and has sold one million since it first launched. The global figures, however, have not yet been made public.

Reports have been made that Samsung had announced an official recall for its Galaxy Note 7, but for the US, this just isn’t true since it didn’t go through the required process.

“The safety and ongoing satisfaction of our customers is our top priority”, Samsung Electronics Australia vice-president of IT and Mobile, Richard Fink, said.

Koh Dong-jin, president of Samsung’s mobile faction, said: “There was a tiny problem in the manufacturing process, so it was very hard to figure out”.

Most Note 7 owners are believed to have preordered the devices, indicating that they may be loyal customers.

It said it would provide free “courtesy” smartphones from Wednesday and offer refunds for those not willing to wait for fix or replacement.

Samsung’s U.S. subsidiary said on Friday that it will offer customers a $25 credit if they exchange their Galaxy Note 7 for another Samsung smartphone, rather than get a refund.

He refused to name the battery supplier.

The brand’s new flagship Galaxy Note 7 has been blowing up, literally.

The firm assured its customers that they would replace their Note 7 with other devices of their choice, as long as they’re available.