Everything You Need to Know About the Galaxy Note7 Recall

Are people’s phones really catching on fire? In short: yes. It’s true that users have reported their Note7s actually catching on fire and — in some cases — exploded, prompting the current recall. Read on to see what the deal is and whether your phone is affected.

What Happened?
Samsung has released an official statement blaming faulty battery cells used in some Note7s for the problem. These defective battery cells become overheated when used heavily and charged for long periods. Reports indicate that a manufacturing error caused too much pressure to be placed on plates inside the battery cells. Because of this, positive and negative poles inside the cells came into contact with one another, which created the excess heat.

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How Do I Know Which Phones are Affected?
All Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones that were purchased prior to September 15, 2016 are included in the recall. While retailers have been instructed to remove the defective phones from their shelves, there is a chance some could still be on the market. Before you buy a new Note7, examine the packaging closely. If the box has an “S” mark and/or a black square on the label, it is a new phone deemed safe by Samsung. If you don’t see either of those indicators on the label, do not purchase the phone. If you’re not sure, talk to the salesperson. If you already have a Note7, you can enter your phone’s IMEI number on Samsung’s recall website to find out if it’s a defective model.

What Do I Do If My Phone Is Affected?
If you do have one of the recalled Note7s, turn it off immediately and do not plug it in to charge. Take it back to the retail store where you purchased it as soon as possible. Or, you can call Samsung directly at 1-800-SAMSUNG. Samsung is offering affected customers the option to trade their old Note7 for a new, fixed Note7. As an alternative, you can choose to trade in your Note7 for a Galaxy S& or S7 Edge (and Samsung will refund the difference in price between the devices). You can also exchange your Note7 accessories for new or equivalent products.

If you haven’t done so yet, return your recalled Note7 right away. Should this whole situation make customers wary of purchasing Samsung devices in the future? Not necessarily. The company has a great track record, and the swift response to the current situation is a good indicator that they are committed to making it up to their customers going forward.

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