Samsung appreciates loyalty but really wants Galaxy Note 7s returned

Samsung on Tuesday said more than 60 percent of people in the U.S. and South Korea have exchanged their possibly defective Galaxy Note 7. The company is seeking for the return of all phones. China's Amperex Technology Limited began providing batteries for Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after faulty batteries prompted a worldwide recall. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (UPI) — Samsung on Tuesday said more than 60 percent of people in the United States and South Korea have exchanged their possibly defective Galaxy Note 7s for a replacement, but the company wants all phones back.

“Just over three weeks ago, Samsung committed to a global replacement program for the Galaxy Note 7. Last week, that program began for the majority of markets and the progress is encouraging” DJ Koh, president of Samsung’s mobile communications business, said in a statement. “Our focus now is to make sure that all affected devices are replaced as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The Galaxy Note 7 was released in August but Samsung issued a worldwide recallfor about 2.5 million of the devices in early September after reports the phone caught fire or exploded. The company said the issue is the battery, which Samsung said could cause problems in 0.1 percent of devices sold. Several airlines hadbanned the device being used aboard flights.

About 90 percent of people now using the Galaxy Note 7 are people who bought the new version of the device or replaced the possibly defective version, Samsung said. Over 80 percent of customers in Singapore have exchanged their devices since the exchange program began there on Sept. 17.
“Although there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with necessary support. Samsung has been collaborating with national regulatory bodies in this effort,” Samsung said in a statement.
“Customers who have affected Galaxy Note7 devices should power down and return their devices.”

Samsung delayed resuming sales of the Galaxy Note 7 in South Korea from Wednesday until Saturday because not enough people participated in the exchange program.

“We are humbled by our customers’ loyalty to the Galaxy Note7 device,” Koh said. “This is why we want them to take advantage of their local replacement program so that they can continue to feel confident and excited every time they reach for their Galaxy Note7 device.”

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