The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) late Thursday issued an official recall of 1 million Samsung Galaxy Note7 phablets.
The recall is necessary because the Note7 “presents such a fire hazard,” Elliot Kaye, the CPSC chairman, said in a news conference.
Kaye said customers subject to the recall have two options: either to seek a replacement or a refund, “which is the choice of the customer and the customer alone”.
The CPSC indicated on its website that when a customer receives a new Galaxy Note7, it will come with a different battery than those suspected of causing fires. Some replacement batteries in Note7 phones have reportedly worked safely in other countries.
Samsung’s own recall discussed only the possibility of an exchange for another Note7 or a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge.
The CPSC last week urged Note7 customers to power down their devices over the fires. “This week’s message is to refund or replace,” Kaye said.
Based on videos and photos of the damage that the fires can cause, he urged consumers to “take advantage of the recall right away, as we’ve seen these phones can present a fire hazard”.
He said consumers wouldn’t be able to swap out the battery in the Note7 to prevent the fire hazard. “It’s in the phone and that requires a new phone or a refund.”
He said Samsung’s decision to issue its own recall before reaching out to the CPSC was “not a recipe for success,” but didn’t elaborate about whether the agency planned any action against Samsung.
Kaye also didn’t elaborate on whether Samsung has provided safe replacement units of Note 7 devices. Some customers have complained about not being able to get replacements. Kaye mentioned that 1 million phones are subject to the recall, while reports have indicated that 2.5 million Note 7 devices have been sold.
A Canadian government agency issued an official recall earlier this week.
Concerned Irish customers can avail of Samsung’s replacement offer at Customers with Galaxy Note7 service related questions can also contact the Samsung customer service team on 01 6950367 or log on to http://www.samsung.com/ie/note7exchange/. The programme comes into effect from Monday.
IDG News Service
Ltd
