Doing its bit to ensure all Note7 devices in Australia are recalled, Samsung Electronics Australia is extending its recall to all Note7 devices.
Samsung Electronics Australia has announced ‘it is taking the proactive and voluntary step to extend its current recall to all Galaxy Note7 smartphones in Australia, including those that were provided as replacement Galaxy Note7 devices.’
Samsung Australia says it ‘has made this decision as a precautionary measure following an announcement by Samsung Electronics advising that it had stopped production of Galaxy Note7 smartphones for the benefit of consumer safety.’
The company notes that on September 5, it ‘took the proactive and voluntary step to recall Galaxy Note7 smartphones in Australia. This was in response to a recent announcement by Samsung Electronics regarding isolated battery cell issues with the Galaxy N
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It also notes its parent company’s global statement, issued on 11 October 2016, which states: “For the benefit of consumers' safety, we stopped sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 and have consequently decided to stop production."
However, the issue clearly still exists in Australia, with Samsung Electronics Australia noting its local customers still in possession on a Note7, whether ‘an original device purchased before 5 September 2016 or a new replacement Galaxy Note 7 device, should power down their phone and contact their original place of purchase.’
Due to the clear and present danger that Note7 devices present, which is my term as I type this article, and not Samsung’s, it is good to see Samsung continuing to alert the public, via its own website, its operator and retail partners, and the media ‘to ensure all customers can receive an exchange - including a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge - or full refund for their Galaxy Note7.’
This means the choice is yours - a replacement to a different, safe, Samsung smartphone, or a full refund.
You may well love your Note7, as it is a unique and extremely powerful device, and it is easy to understand why some may be reluctant to hang onto their devices - especially if there has been no sign of damage.
Clearly, however, the risk is real, and too great, or Samsung would not have gone to the extremely expensive and embarrassing trouble of issuing a global recall, making this something that ongoing Note7 owners simply CANNOT ignore.
Before returning their Galaxy Note7, Samsung advises its customers ‘should back-up their data, complete a factory reset to delete personal information and power down their device.’
Richard Fink, Vice President IT & Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia said: “The safety of our customers is our first priority, which is why we are taking this further step and extending the current recall to all Galaxy Note7 devices, including replacement Galaxy Note7 devices.
“We know our Galaxy Note customers are among our most loyal customers and we sincerely apologise to them.”
Samsung advises that: “The Samsung Australia website and FAQs are currently being updated to reflect this announcement.”
Samsung’s flagship store in Sydney is still also advertising the Note7 in its windows, as seen in the image below, presumably this branding will be replaced with S7 and S7 Edge or other Samsung branding soon.
Galaxy Note7 smartphone owners should visit the place of purchase of their device or call Samsung Customer Service on 1300 362 603 or visit Samsung’s website here.
Branding on windows of Samsung's flagship Sydney store on George St still advertises the now recalled Note7.