South Korean electronics major Samsung is allowing its Galaxy Note 7 customers to replace their damaged handsets either with the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge phones.
South Korean electronics major Samsung is allowing its Galaxy Note 7 customers to replace their damaged handsets either with the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge phones. The company is reported to have taken the decision in the aftermath of complaints from users about battery related issues. The smartphone maker on September 2 confirmed to recall all Galaxy Note 7 equipped with battery it has found to be fire-prone.
In addition, the company is also offering its customers the option to exchange their Note 7 handsets with Samsung's previous flagships — Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge.
The recall comes just over two weeks after the company launched its latest premium phone, which features a large screen and high-resolution camera. It follows reports of the 988,900 won ($885) phone igniting while charging.
Samsung has already halted their sales in 10 markets.
According to a statement reported by a technology website Verge, Samsung has announced its own exchange programme which will provide customers with a new device by next week.
The exchange programme offers customers to either exchange Galaxy Note 7 device with a new one as early as next week or they can exchange the device for a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge and replacement of any Note 7 specific accessories with a refund of the price differences between devices.
Moreover, affected customers will receive a $25 credit on their phone bill or a $25 gift card for the trouble caused.
“Customers who already bought Note 7s will be able to replace them with new phones in about two weeks,” said Koh Dong-jin, president, Samsung's mobile business.
The company said it has not found a way to tell exactly which phones may endanger users out of the 2.5 million Note 7s already sold globally. It estimated that about 1 in 42,000 units may have a faulty battery.
