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If the recall goes ahead, it will be Samsung’s second widespread product recall in Australia.
SAMSUNG will recall as many as 50,000 of its flagship smartphones in Australia after the company identified a “battery cell issue†that caused at least 35 smartphones to burst into flames.
The Galaxy Note7, which has been on sale in Australia for just two weeks, was pulled from sale by Samsung and carriers including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone on Friday over the safety issue.
The world’s biggest smartphone maker confirmed late today it would take the unprecedented step of recalling all Note7 smartphones sold in Australia as a safety precaution after identifying three safety flaws in the phone’s battery.
“To date, there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally. There have no reported incidents in Australia,†Samsung Australia said in a statement.
Samsung is investigating after five Galaxy Note7 smartphones caught fire.Source:Supplied
Oh dear. It doesn’t look pretty.Source:Supplied
“For customers who already have Galaxy Note7 devices, we will provide a resolution of their choice including a replacement, repair or refund over the coming weeks.
“We will have an update for Australian customers early next week.â€
Samsung has advised Note7 owners who feel uncomfortable using the smartphone to return to their point of purchase.
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The voluntary recall followed 17 reports of Galaxy Note7 smartphones catching fire in South Korea, 17 reports from the United States, and one from Taiwan. No injuries were reported.
Samsung Electronics Australia chief marketing officer Phil Newton said details of the Australian recall were still being finalised but anyone who purchased a Note7 smartphone would qualify for a repair or replacement, regardless of whether they bought the phone from a carrier, from Samsung, or from a grey-market importer.
Samsung's Galaxy Note7 smartphone was released in Australia on August 19.Source:Supplied
The smartphone features an iris scanner, water-resistant body, and 5.7-inch touchscreen.Source:Supplied
“At this stage, we don’t care where you bought it. Just get it back to us,†he said. “Customers are our number one priority.â€
More than one million Galaxy Note7 smartphones have been sold globally since its launch on August 19, and Samsung said an investigation showed some batteries specific to the phone showed three safety flaws that led to the fires.
Carriers including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone suspended sales of the $1349 smartphone on Friday, and replacement Note7 phones are expected to take at least two weeks to begin filtering through to customers.
The unprecedented recall will come at a critical time for the smartphone maker, with major rival Apple primed to launch a competing iPhone 7 handset in San Francisco next week.
Samsung’s share price fell two per cent in one day following rumours of a worldwide recall.
The Samsung Galaxy Note7 recall will the company’s second major recall in Australia, after it recalled six top-loading washing machines made between February 2010 and February 2013 following a series of fires.