Samsung has released a video message confirming that the company has replaced 130,000 units of the Galaxy Note 7 with battery defects.
The Galaxy Note 7 was one of the most-awaited smartphones of this year. Launched and released in August this year, the Galaxy Note 7 attracted many customers with its top-notch features. However, Samsung announced a recall of the phablet as several complaints emerged that the battery caught fire and also exploded when the phone was put on charge.
In the United States alone, 92 cases of fire associated with the Galaxy Note 7 have been reported. Samsung, carriers and retailers have temporarily halted the sales of the phablet and owners are urged to return their Galaxy Note 7.
A previous report highlighted that the recall of the Galaxy Note 7 may cost Samsung about $1 billion. Apart from the temporary financial cost, the recall has majorly impacted Samsung's reputation in the mobile phone market.
Tim Baxter, the President and COO of Samsung Electronics America, issued a video message to American consumers addressing the entire Galaxy Note 7 snafu. During the 2-minute video, Baxter apologized for the battery issue and confirmed that the company has replaced 130,000 Galaxy Note 7 units.
Samsung has sold more than a million units of Galaxy Note 7 in the United States, which means that the company still has to replace a large number of faulty devices.
Samsung, along with all carriers in the United States, has offered an exchange program that allows Galaxy Note 7 customers to swap their Samsung phablet for another device temporarily. Customers who return the faulty units will now be able to get a brand-new Galaxy Note 7, which the video message claims is perfectly safe to use.
"If you have not yet replaced your original Note 7, please power it down and return it. New Note 7 phones will be available for exchange no later than next Wednesday, Sept. 21," says Baxter.
The battery issue with the Galaxy Note 7 has affected not only customers in the United States but also in other parts of the world. Samsung is yet to officially launch the Galaxy Note 7 in several markets such as India. The delay has resulted in many disappointed customers. Samsung is compensating customers who have pre-booked the Galaxy Note 7 with a free Gear VR in India.
The battery issues with the Galaxy Note 7 may have made many customers look for alternative devices. Samsung may have fixed the problem with the Galaxy Note 7, but the entire fiasco has undoubtedly affected the company's sales.
