Samsung finally rolls out Galaxy Note 7 replacements.
Three weeks after the first incidents of the exploding Galaxy Note 7 were reported and half a month after it issued a global recall for the handheld, Samsung finally confirms the availability of Note 7 replacement units in the United States.
In a press release dated Sept. 15, Thursday, Samsung specified that the Note 7 replacements will be in majority of retail locations by Sept. 21, Wednesday. The company specifies that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has already approved of its exchange program and will be replacing units that were sold in the United States from August 2016 until Sept. 15, 2016.
Samsung issued a recall last Sept. 2, citing battery cell issues as the main culprit for the reported explosions. Prior to the recall, 35 cases of the explosion were reported by Galaxy Note 7 owners. Samsung also released a quick fix recently, a software update that limits battery recharging to 60 percent.
"Consumer safety is always our highest priority. Our collaboration with the CPSC to fast-track a voluntary recall in the U.S. addresses safety concerns by ensuring we reach Note7 owners quickly to exchange their devices," says President of Samsung Electronics America Tim Baxter. "We are asking owners to act now by powering down their Note7 devices and receive a replacement devices or a refund through our exchange program."
Samsung says that although there were only a handful of cases of the explosion, the company has taken great care to provide affected consumers with the needed support. Moreover, the company reveals that it has identified the affected batch of units and has already stopped the shipment and sales of them.
It should be noted that the exploding Galaxy Note 7 was recently reported to have injured a 6-year-old boy and set afire a family vehicle. A man also suffered third-degree burns because of a Galaxy S7 edge unit's explosion and is currently pursuing Samsung in court.
Samsung is using its customer service, social media, direct communications and in-store communications to inform consumers of this exchange program. The company also encourages consumers to inform themselves through this web address: www.samsung.com/us/note7recall.
The CPSC-approved exchange program specifies a number of options for Galaxy Note 7 owners. One is to exchange the Note 7 they have with the Note 7 replacement unit when it becomes available at the retailer where the current one was bought (point of purchase).
The second one is to exchange a Note 7 unit, along with the accessories that came with it, with a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge. Again, this should go through the point of purchase. A refund will be issued for the difference in price and consumers who choose this option will be given a gift card worth $25, an in-store credit or accessory credit or bill credit from select carrier retail stores.
The third is a refund from the retailer for the amount that was spent in purchasing the Note 7 unit.
Below is a video message from Tim Baxter in which he apologizes to consumers for the defective Galaxy Note 7 units and assures the public that the battery cell issue has been resolved.
