Australian owners of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone who have returned the possibly faulty devices are set to begin receiving a new replacement. Samsung is also set to release a software update that allows the battery output to be controlled, preventing any overheating of the smartphone.This follows the recall almost three weeks ago of more than 2.5 million of the new Note 7 handsets, including 51,060 in Australia, following worldwide reports of explosions, burns and overheating handsets.
Two cases were confirmed in Australia, including a Note 7 belonging to a Melbourne businessman that is said to have exploded in a Perth hotel room. Australian airlines are among many worldwide that have banned use of the Note 7 on their flights.
However it is understood that only a small minority of users have been taking Samsung’s recall seriously, with relatively few returning their handsets. In the US only 13 percent of one million Note 7 devices sold there had been returned last week.
Samsung Australia this week has told Note 7 purchasers: “If you have not yet returned your original Galaxy Note7, please back-up your data, complete a factory reset to delete personal information, power-down your device and return it to its place of purchase for a replacement or refund.
“If you are currently using your original Galaxy Note 7, you will receive an automatic software update from today for devices purchased in Australia that will automatically download and install to your phone. The software will limit the battery life to a maximum charge of 60 percent and you will also receive a pop-up message recommending you urgently power-down your device and seek a replacement.
“If you have already returned your original Galaxy Note 7 and are awaiting a replacement, you should contact your place of purchase for specific availability dates to receive your new device.”
In the UK Samsung is set to resume Galaxy Note 7 sales on September 28. It is not known when new Australian models will go on sale.
In the USA, Samsung has said only 500,000 replacements will initially be available – Channel News and wire services
