Samsung to Replace Faulty Galaxy Note 7s, Feds Urge Owners Not to Use the Device

Samsung is going to replace faulty versions of its Galaxy Note 7 in the coming weeks, after over 35 reports of the new device exploding due to battery issues, the company said.

The Korean-based company is already moving ahead with a new batch of smartphones that will replace units with exploding batteries. In Australia, new versions of the Note 7 will be available on Sept. 21 — with replacement stock slated to become available in other countries in the coming weeks, according to PhoneArena.

Samsung had previously halted new shipments of the Note 7 when the first few reports of exploding batteries began to surface. And they issued a voluntary recall for the defective phones, CNET reported.

In the United States, however, the federal government got involved with the faulty devices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now collaborating with Samsung over a federal recall — and the company said it is no longer selling or shipping phones that could have the battery issue.

And on Thursday, Sept. 8, the Federal Aviation Administration warned fliers not to turn on or charge Galaxy Note 7 devices on aircraft — citing the fact that fires caused by cell phone batteries could be difficult to put out on flights, according to CNN.

The CPSC recall collaboration could change the timetable for owners of defective Note 7’s, however. Instead of a simple exchange process, new Note 7 devices will only be issued to consumers after the CPSC’s recall process — which could potentially take months. As an alternative, participants in the recall can opt to receive a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge — and a partial refund — or just use a Samsung loaner phone until the issue is sorted out.

It’s currently unknown how this issue will affect Note 7 sales or Samsung’s brand image, especially in this critical time — right after the company’s main competitor, Apple, just unveiled its newest flagship.