Second recall possible for Samsung Note 7 phones
S'pore users can request for loan of another model following problems with replacement Note7 phones
Samsung Galaxy Note7 customers in Singapore, including those who own the supposedly safe replacement phone, may now request for a loan device of a different model, fuelling expectations that the phone may be recalled a second time.
The offer follows a notice put out by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Samsung earlier yesterday asking consumers to stop using the device over fire concerns among even the replacement handsets.
Samsung had also temporarily halted production of its new flagship device that is meant to rival the new iPhone 7.
In a press statement, a Samsung spokesman in Singapore said: "Samsung Electronics Singapore is in talks with our telecommunication operator and retail partners to work out a resolution for our Galaxy Note7 customers. Details of the remedy will be shared very soon.
"In the meantime, Galaxy Note7 customers who require a courtesy device on loan (subject to stock availability) can visit the Samsung Customer Service Centre at Westgate (level 3) during operating hours."
Yesterday, the world's largest smartphone maker also asked all global carriers to stop sales of the Note7 while it worked with regulators to investigate the problem.
Samsung had said in statement: "Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 device should power down and stop using the device."
This follows a handful of reports of overheating and smoking in replacement devices, including one that caused a Southwest Airlines flight at Louisville International Airport in the US state of Kentucky to be evacuated on Oct 5.
Based on the latest update on Samsung's Note7 recall website for US customers, the replacements are being recalled, too.
OVERHEAT
Some tens of thousands of customers in Singapore had exchanged their faulty Note7 for a replacement set, in a worldwide recall of the phones last month that were sparked by incidents in which they had caught fire.
A small number of Singapore consumers even had to exchange the phones twice - after their replacements were found to overheat and rapidly drain in power while being charged.
Samsung was slated to resume sales of the phone here by end-October.
Launched in August, the phone had received rave reviews with its new iris scanner, S Pen stylus, and water and dust resistant features.
- The Straits Times.
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