
Samsung issued a warning to customers on Monday to immediately switch off their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, which could spontaneously catch fire at any moment.
The alert came one day after the company halted production of the dangerously glitchy device.
Samsung Note7 customer shows charred remains of phone after it caught fire - video https://t.co/iaVA830gP3
- The Guardian (@guardian) October 11, 2016
"Because consumers' safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note 7 while the investigation is taking place," the company said.
The company recalled 2.5 million devices in September. It explained that faulty lithium-ion batteries were overheating the device and causing it to ignite.
According to the company, 45,000 Note 7s had been sold across Europe through pre-ordering, mostly in the UK. More than 75 percent of those have been replaced with either a Note 7 or another Samsung handset.
But adding further fuel to the fire, now the replacement devices that were issued to users have started bursting into flames, too.
I think it might be time #Samsung cut their losses when it comes to the #Note7 and instead focus their efforts on the #Note8 ....
- David Allen (@Monkey_Allen) October 11, 2016
"Analysts say a permanent end to Note 7 sales could cost Samsung up to $17 billion and tarnish its other phone products."
You don't say.
- A.X. Ian (@axian) October 11, 2016
It got so bad that even airlines were having to remind passengers to turn off their Galaxy Note 7 devices.
"Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note 7 or replacement Galaxy Note 7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available," Samsung added.
Meanwhile, South Korean media reports suggest the company is likely to stop selling the phone permanently, which would have a detremental effect on the business. It's not like its reputation isn't already up in smoke after this (ahh?).
Featured image credit: PA
Topics: phone, Samsung, Smartphone