Samsung has halted production of Galaxy Note7 smartphone temporarily, according to Korea’s Yonhap News, amid new reports that more replacement units have caught fire.
“The halt is in cooperation with consumer safety regulators from South Korea, the United States and China. This measure includes a Samsung plant in Vietnam that is responsible for global shipments (of the Galaxy Note 7),” according to the report.
The first incident came last week after Samsung said it had replaced over half of the recalled Note7 devices in the U.S.
Regarding replacement units cathing fire, Samsung said:
We are working diligently with authorities and third party experts and will share findings when we have completed the investigation. Even though there are a limited number of reports, we want to reassure customers that we are taking every report seriously. If we determine a product safety issue exists, Samsung will take immediate steps approved by the CPSC to resolve the situation.
U.S. carriers AT&T and T-Mobile have officially announced that they have stopped selling the Note7 and issuing replacement units.
Regarding the replacement units, AT&T in a statement, said:
Based on recent reports, we’re no longer exchanging new Note7s at this time, pending further investigation of these reported incidents. We still encourage customers with a recalled Note7 to visit an AT&T location to exchange that device for another Samsung smartphone or other smartphone of their choice.
T-Mobile in the official press release, said:
While Samsung investigates multiple reports of issues, T-Mobile is temporarily suspending all sales of the new Note7 and exchanges for replacement Note7 devices.
Customers can still bring their recalled Note7 or the new replacement Note7, along with accessories they purchased from T-Mobile, to a T-Mobile store for a full refund and choose from any device in T-Mobile’s inventory. We’ll waive any restocking charges, and customers who purchased during pre-order can keep the free Netflix subscription and Gear Fit or SD card they received.
Again, we encourage customers to stop using and power down their recalled devices and return them to T-Mobile.
To help offset any additional costs our customers may have incurred throughout this process, anyone who returns their recalled Note7 will automatically receive a one-time $25 credit on their T-Mobile bill within two bill cycles
Update: Now Verizon has also announced that it is halting exchange of replacement Note7 phones. In a statement it said:
Samsung is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the safety of replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones. While the investigation is underway, Verizon is suspending the exchange of replacement Note7 smartphones. Any Verizon customer concerned about the safety of their replacement Note7 smartphone may take it back to the original point of purchase to exchange it for another smartphone. Verizon online customers may also exchange their replacement Note7 smartphones at Verizon stores.