Samsung today issued a press release to say that the company will ask its partners to stop selling the Galaxy Note7. At the same time, it is asking users of the device to power down, even if you"re using a replacement.
The Galaxy Note7 has been a disaster for Samsung, and for many of the people that decided to purchase it. Shortly after the handset was released, there were reports of it exploding or setting itself on fire. The company issued a voluntary recall by September 2.
But the reports didn"t stop there. In fact, even replacement devices were catching fire, such as one that caught fire on an airplane. Of course, you aren"t allowed to carry a Note7 onto a plane while the device is powered on; it"s obviously a safety precaution.
Samsung issued the following statement:
We are working with relevant regulatory bodies to investigate the recently reported cases involving the Galaxy Note7. Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place.
We remain committed to working diligently with appropriate regulatory authorities to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation. Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available.
The statement says that it will halt sales while an investigation is underway, but at this point, it"s entirely likely that the firm will not sell the Galaxy Note7 ever again. It"s become widely known as a safety hazard. Even if the problem gets worked out, few people would want to go through the hassle of turning their phone off in certain situations because businesses - such as airlines - can"t differentiate between the original model and a newer one.
It also raises questions of trust in the Samsung brand. We"ll find out next year if customers are willing to purchase a Galaxy S8, or Note8 when the time comes.