Samsung have reported that only 57 per cent of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones it has sold in Europe have now been returned as part of the recall announced earlier this month.
25,000 phones have been returned after battery problems with their flagship device saw a small number go on fire or explode. Shipments of the device were halted on September 2nd. This number is alarming for a number of reasons, most importantly the belief that faulty devices may still be in circulation to the public.
Only just over half the Samsung Note 7s sold in Europe have been exchanged which means could still be quite a few risky devices out there.
— Will Goodbody (@willgoodbody) September 28, 2016
Since September 19th, owners have been able to exchange them for a new model. The company says of those who have exchanged the phone, 90 per cent have chosen a replacement Note 7, with 3 per cent opting for an alternative Samsung handset and the balance choosing something else.
Advice to owners of Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Those who have not yet exchanged their device are being urged to keep their phone powered off for safety. Samsung says it hopes to complete the programme by the start of October, with sales of the Galaxy Note 7 resuming in Europe on October 28th. However they are asking for people to exchange the device as soon as possible.
We encourage #GalaxyNote7 customers to exchange their device in Samsung Galaxy Note7 Exchange Program Centers https://t.co/9zr5ibMjZP. pic.twitter.com/Kt7TohPEMd
— SamsungMobileArabia (@SamsungMobileME) September 28, 2016
There have been media reports that phones, arguably those which have not been exchanged yet, are continuing to explode. The recall has proven extremely embarrassing and costly for the Samsung, with analysts estimating the company could stand to lose $1bn over the battery incident.
Samsung's new 'safe' Galaxy Note 7 phones are overheating and exploding, say customers https://t.co/kAZGHEkkw8
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 28, 2016
