Galaxy Note 7: MORE trouble for Samsung as 'safe' devices also CATCH FIRE
REPORTS of a new Galaxy Note 7 catching fire in China raises recall fears, with multiple reports of replacement devices overheating.
The Galaxy Note 7 caught fire whilst charging
Samsung could be set for even more headaches as the controversy surrounding its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone reaches a new high.
Another one of the devices has apparently caught fire in China after overheating, with the smartphone even burning its owner's Macbook computer and fingers.
25 year-old Hui Renjie told CNNMoney that his brand new Galaxy Note 7 was charging overnight, but began to give off black smoke while still connected to the charger, before then bursting into flames.
The Galaxy Note 7 also damaged a Macbook computer
Samsung said it was investigating the incident, saying in a statement, "We are currently contacting the customer and will conduct a thorough examination of the device in question once we receive it".
However the new claim is particularly worrying for Samsung as versions of the Galaxy Note 7 sold in China were meant to be safe from the overheating issues that have plagued the device in other markets.
The Chinese Galaxy Note 7 went on sale with a battery made by a different supplier, and devices sold in the country were also not included in the worldwide recall, although this may now change.
Samsung began recalling the Galaxy Note 7 earlier this month after it was discovered that some lithium-ion batteries could spontaneously catch fire and explode.
Within the last few weeks, a Note 7 has burned the inside of a hotel room – causing more than $1,800 AUD (£1,028 converted) worth of damage – incinerated the inside of a Jeep, and detonated within someone's pocket.
In the USA, the Federal Aviation Administration has told airline passengers not to bring the Galaxy Note 7 on planes, unless they keep them turned off and don't charge them during the flight.
Several other airlines around the globe have also banned the phone from being used or charged on their planes.
Samsung is set to put the Galaxy Note 7 back on sale in the UK on October 28th
This comes as Samsung continues its recall of around 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices around the world.
The company revealed earlier this week that 57 per cent of existing Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in Europe have been exchanged since the programme began on September 19th.
Of these, 90 per cent of devices have been exchanged for a replacement Galaxy Note 7, with three percent choosing an alternative Samsung Galaxy device.
Exploding phone battery: Samsung begins S.Korea exchange
Samsung is now expecting to complete the exchange program by early next month, with the Galaxy Note 7 going back on sale on October 28th, nearly two months after it originally went on sale.
The company is now urging all customers who have already purchased a Galaxy Note 7 to power it down and return it to the exchange programme.
UK customers who have Galaxy Note 7 devices should now have been contacted by the provider or operator from which they purchased the product in order to arrange their device exchange.
For more information, visit this website to find out more samsung.com/uk/note7exchange.