samsung galaxy note 7 explode damage

A damaged Samsung Galaxy Note 7 after it exploded while charging. Pic: Ariel Gonzalez/YouTube

Samsung stops all Galaxy Note 7 production as S. Korea govt watches closely

By | 10 October, 2016

FOLLOWING reports of the new, replaced Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones catching fire, a South Korean government agency said on Monday it is monitoring the situation closely as the country’s largest news agency reported that that the electronics company has stopped production of the problematic device.

The Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday that Samsung Electronics Co. has temporarily suspended their productions of the Galaxy Note 7 after the complaints. The company confirmed that there was a change in production, but stopped short of announcing a total halt.

Samsung issued a global recall on the devices at the start of September after dozens of complaints that the phones were exploding or catching fire while charging began pouring in. Many praised the company for acting quickly on the issue, but it doesn’t seem to have paid off.

SEE ALSO: S. Korea: Samsung to recall all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones after explosive reports

According to The Verge, there are three known reports of the replaced Galaxy Note 7s spontaneously combusting in the past week. The most recent incident involved a device in Kentucky, U.S., where it suddenly began spewing smoke at 4am while its owner was asleep.

The owner, Michael Klering, woke up in time to extinguish the fire, but was hospitalized for acute bronchitis caused by smoke inhalation.

Eric Schiffer, brand strategy expert and chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told Reuters that if Samsung allowed production of the Galaxy Note 7 to continue, the company would lead itself into the “single greatest act of brand self-destruction” ever.

SEE ALSO: Smartphone war: Samsung’s struggles give Apple edge in China

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), a government standards organization, said it is monitoring reports of the fires closely.

KATS also reminded consumers not to use or charge the Galaxy Note 7 devices inside airplanes, a warning first issued by the transport ministry.



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