As reports continue to flow in about replaced, ‘safe’ Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices catching fire in the US, we’ve seen reports today that Samsung has halted production in Korea, and that US carriers are withdrawing the embattled handset from sale. We’ve taken the unusual step of recommending that users turn off their Galaxy Note 7’s and return them to their place of of purchase, and the carriers are now following suit.
In Australia, we’ve already had confirmed that Telstra are withdrawing the Galaxy Note 7 from sale, and will not be giving out any new replacement handsets:
We have temporarily paused shipping replacement Galaxy Note7 smartphones to our customers while Samsung investigates reported incidents in the U.S. We have asked Samsung to provide us with an update on their investigations as a matter of priority and will update our customers as soon as we learn more.
In the meantime we are helping customers with loan phones and for those who do not wish to wait for the exchange program a change-over to an alternative smartphone.
We’ve also just had confirmation that Vodafone are withdrawing the phone from sale, and won’t be handing out replacement handsets.
A Vodafone employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Ausdroid that the instruction from head office has been given not to sell the Note 7 to anyone until further notice. It’s unconfirmed whether ‘safe’ replacement handsets will be given out, but it seems unlikely. Vodafone have been approached for formal comment.
Update
Vodafone has now officially confirmed to Ausdroid that they too have paused the Note 7 replacement program for Vodafone Customers based on reports of incidents with the phone overseas. They further went on to say:
Quality and customer safety are absolute priorities for Vodafone.
Vodafone Samsung Galaxy Note7 customers are entitled to a loan device* free of charge while we wait for Samsung to complete its investigation of recent reported incidents.
We invite customers to visit their local store to discuss their options.
Update 2:
Vodafone has just released the following statement advising that customers are able to bring their Note 7 back to stores for an exchange for another smartphone of equal or lesser value:
Vodafone is pausing the replacement program for the new Samsung Galaxy Note7 following reported incidents overseas.
From tomorrow, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 customers are able to exchange their device for a Samsung Galaxy 7 Edge or another smartphone in stock of equal or less value.
Customers are encouraged to back-up their data, complete a factory reset to delete all personal information, power-down their device and exchange it at any Vodafone branded store.
Vodafone will continue to keep customers updated on the status of this program as we receive more information from Samsung.
Vodafone has confirmed that if a handset of lesser value is chosen the difference in price will be refunded.
We have unconfirmed reports that Optus, too, has withdrawn the Note 7 from sale. We have sought confirmation from Optus, but have not heard back from them at the time of writing. We’ll update when we have more.
Update:
Optus had just announced officially announced that they too have halted handing out replacement Galaxy Note 7 handsets. They have issued this statement:
Optus has decided to temporarily suspend the distribution of replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 handsets pending an investigation by Samsung.
We will advise customers who are awaiting their replacement Note7 handset of the next steps as soon as we have more information
Update:
Virgin Mobile has late this afternoon also come out to advise that they too are temporarily suspending distribution of replacement Galaxy Note 7 handsets. The statement from Virgin is in line with the statement released by Samsung Australia this afternoon. Virgin Mobile said:
Virgin Mobile has decided to temporarily suspend the distribution of replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 handsets pending an investigation by Samsung.
We’ll let our customers who are awaiting their replacement Note7 handset know of the next steps as soon as we have more information
Developing…
This article was originally published as Developing: Local carriers Telstra, Vodafone and Optus withdraw support for Samsung Note 7.
