Samsung to Recall Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone over explosive batteries

Samsung has announced an unprecedented recall of the Galaxy Note 7 just weeks after launching the well-received smartphone.

MacRumors learned that Samsung is already in talks with Verizon and its other U.S. business partners to come up with a solution to the exploding devices. The tech site also cited South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency in stating that the famous Apple rival is conducting an investigation and is set to announce its solution either this weekend or the following week.

“In response to questions on the Galaxy Note 7, we are conducting a thorough inspection with our partners,” Samsung said in a statement. “We will share the findings as soon as possible. Samsung is fully committed to providing the highest quality products to our consumers.”

The Galaxy Note 7 is the first of Samsung’s products to ship with a USB Type-C connector. The company included a Micro-USB adapter with the phone as well. Other outlets have speculated that either cord could be to blame as well.

The company has already delayed Galaxy Note 7 shipments to mobile carriers in the wake of the investigation. It has also instructed its U.K. carriers to delay the smartphone’s rollout in that region.

Its S-class contemporaries, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge, have had no such reported issue.

Samsung has marketed its Galaxy series of phones largely based on its waterproof feature. In mid-August, the Wall Street Journal took the Galaxy Note 7 through its paces during an underwater test, during which the phone performed as it did normally.

A recall will no doubt deal a blow to Samsung — customers are learning about the faulty battery just one week before Apple is preparing to announce the iPhone 7, which will likely be available for pre-order Sept. 16.

Agencies/Canadajournal