Samsung Note 7 shipments stopped amid safety concerns

A nightmare couple of months continues for Samsung with more issues for the only recently launched Galaxy Note 7.

Following more than 35 confirmed reports of devices overheating and burning, the company was forced to issue a global recall of over 2.5 million devices, over 51,000 in Australia.

After a comprehensive recall program and communications the company began delivering replacement devices only in the past 10 days then the reports began about replacement devices overheating also.

Three reports in the US in this last week indicate replacement devices, even when not being charged – overheating and burning up destroying the phone and injuring owners.

Telstra today announced the following:

We have temporarily paused shipping replacement Galaxy Note7 smartphones to our customers while Samsung investigates reported incidents in the U.S. We have asked Samsung to provide us with an update on their investigations as a matter of priority and will update our customers as soon as we learn more.

Now the good news:

In the meantime we are helping customers with loan phones and for those who do not wish to wait for the exchange program to change-over to an alternative smartphone.

Vodafone too has confirmed to EFTM that Note 7 shipments will “pause”:

Vodafone is pausing the replacement program for the new Samsung Galaxy Note7 following reported incidents overseas.

From tomorrow, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 customers are able to exchange their device for a Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge or another smartphone in stock of equal or less value.

Customers are encouraged to back-up their data, complete a factory reset to delete all personal information, power-down their device and exchange it at any Vodafone branded store.
Vodafone will continue to keep customers updated on the status of this program as we receive more information from Samsung.

Optus likewise:

Optus has decided to temporarily suspend the distribution of replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 handsets pending an investigation by Samsung.

We will advise customers who are awaiting their replacement Note7 handset of the next steps as soon as we have more information

At 4pm today, Samsung made the following statement:

Samsung Electronics Australia is aware of a number of incidents involving replacement Galaxy Note7 smartphones.

Samsung is conducting a thorough investigation into this matter.

We continue to move quickly to investigate the reported cases to determine the cause and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Samsung Electronics Australia is working with its partners. We understand that telecommunications operators and retailers in Australia have paused the supply of replacement Galaxy Note7 smartphones in this country and are providing loan phones to concerned customers.

Samsung Electronics Australia would like to reassure our customers that we take this matter very seriously. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate their patience as we work diligently through this process.

Additionally, on Tuesday Samsung globally announced the following:

We are working with relevant regulatory bodies 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 appropriate regulatory authorities to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation. Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available.

It’s the recall you have when you’re not yet ready to have a recall.

Sadly for the Note brand, this may well be the end – read Trevor Long’s Comments here