US regulators investigate replaced Samsung Galaxy Note7 that caught fire

Samsung isn’t out of trouble just yet. A report has surfaced that a replaced Samsung Galaxy Note7 has caught fire on a Southwest Airlines flight in the US. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the incident. According to an emailed statement from the commission, there were no passengers hurt in the flight and they are currently talking to the FAA and Samsung to get facts about the incident. They’re also planning to talk to Brian Green, the owner of the phone.

According to The Verge, Green powered down his phone when requested during the airplane safety presentation. But moments after that, it started smoking heavily and he dropped it on the floor of the Boeing 737 plane. The plane, which was traveling from Louisville to Baltimore, was then quickly and safely evacuated and the flight cancelled. Of course, the main concern here is that a replacement unit (or at least it appears to be one) is displaying some issues. We hope more is brought to light regarding this matter.

Samsung Galaxy Note7 replacement units reportedly making its way to US customers

Online reports from customers have started to show up saying they’re being notified by Best Buy that their replacement units are already available. No other Samsung retail partner or carrier have sent out this notice even if some of the units have already been sent to them. In the US, Samsung has told customers that they should receive their units no later than September 21. These reports help boost confidence that Samsung will be delivering the units on time.

Source: SamMobile

Florida-based man sues over the Samsung Galaxy Note7 reportedly exploding in his pocket

This case might be the first time a Samsung phone user in the US has filed against Samsung over the battery defect of the Galaxy Note7. Samsung Electronics is being sued in the US by Jonathan Strobel for severe burns he said he experienced after the Galaxy Note7 exploded in his front pants pocket. The Boca Raton, Florida-based man filed the case against Samsung the day after Samsung recalled around 1 million Note 7s sold in the US. Strobel said he was at a Costco store in Palm Beach Gardens on September 9 when the phone exploded and the phone burned directly through his pants, resulting in severe burns on his right leg as well as his left thumb since he reached over to remove the device. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, other alleged injuries, and lost wages.

According to US safety regulators, Samsung has received 92 reports of batteries overheating in the country, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage. "We don't comment on pending litigation," Samsung spokeswoman Danielle Meister Cohen said in an email to Reuters. "We are urging all Note 7 owners to power their device down and exchange it immediately." Here’s a link to how Samsung Canada is facilitating the recall locally.

Source: Reuters

Samsung Galaxy Note7 is suspected to have caused a house fire in South Carolina

WMBF News screenshot

The bad news just keeps rolling in for Samsung. This time the new smartphone is being suspected of having caused a fire inside the home of a firefighter from South Carolina. Wesley Hartzog plugged in his Galaxy Note7 in his garage before he left to pick up his two daughters. When they got back, he found his garage in flames. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire. Hartzog told Gizmodo he bought the phone around August 20, which was right when it was released in the US. He says he didn’t notice anything weird with the device when he plugged it in. Investigators haven’t also been able to determine if the phone was the cause of the fire.