Samsung’s launch of its latest flagship smartphone has now turned into a full-blown fiasco.
After reports of more exploding devices surfaced last weekend, the Korean tech giant is now telling all of its retailers and carrier partners to immediately stop selling the Galaxy Note 7.
In a statement today (Oct. 11) it also encouraged owners of the device to immediately “power down and stop using” their phones:
“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.”
In late September, Samsung replaced its initial batch of 2.5 million shipped Galaxy Note 7 phones, after consumers reported their newly-purchased phones were exploding.
It did not replace phones in China, which had different batteries—but then they started to explode, too.
And since last week, at least five owners of the replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices say their devices overheated, and emitted smoke or caught fire. The company responded by halting production of the phone.
Quartz