Consumer safety officials to investigate Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fire, Sprint launches exchange offer
Samsung can't seem to catch a break as reports of another Galaxy Note 7 explosion recently appeared. Even worse, this Note 7 was reportedly a replacement device.
According to The Verge, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) initiated an investigation into the circumstances of this Galaxy Note 7 so stay tuned for more. If it turns out it was indeed a replacement device, it is not good news for Samsung -- especially since the device that burned up was off and not even plugged in.
Sprint was quick to launch an exchange program for those customers who are still uneasy with their replacement. If Sprint customers are afraid their devices may still be susceptible to failure, they are allowed to exchange it for any other smartphone during this investigation phase.
We'll see if other carriers make such an offer. At this time, we don't know how long the investigation will take. It was too late for me to return my Note 7, so I'll wait it out and see what happens. I put the Note 7 down at the bottom of my best 10 smartphones list, and if Samsung has to recall the Note 7 again, I will remove it from all recommendations.
Update: AT&T is reportedly offering its customers the same choice if they have a replacement Galaxy Note 7. T-Mobile and Verizon may also soon join these two carriers and if T-Mobile does then I have to make a decision. Regular readers know I am extremely pleased with the Note 7, but I also don't want to risk my home, family, office, friends, and others if there is a danger of an explosion. I would replace it with an iPhone 7 Plus, but I already bought one so until the LG V20 is released there is not another phone I would choose.
Update 2: T-Mobile updated its Samsung Galaxy Note 7 statement, now allowing recalled, replacement and newly purchased Note7s to be returned for a replacement or a refund. I plan to stick with my replacement until Samsung finishes its investigation.
Related ZDNet Samsung Galaxy Note 7 coverage
- Galaxy Note 7 review: Samsung nearly achieves smartphone perfection
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Which is the better enterprise flagship?
- Galaxy Note 7 exchanged: Two weeks without it had me running to the store
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 includes productivity features launched with Android 7.0 Nougat