Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of power into a small package. When these batteries overheat and burst, the results can be serious, we have heard of incidents when third degree burns reported in Malaysia when a handphone blew up while charging with dire consequences. As we often thought to believe the problems usually stemmed either from low quality chargers or poorly manufactured hand sets. But in the recent case of the largest and respect mobile phone manufacturer those thoughts are wrong with Samsung having battery problems with the newly minted Galaxy Note7. An unprecedented recall by the manufacturer, so much so that the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission has even issued a notice on the incident.

The agency has urged all consumers who own a Samsung Galaxy Note7 to power them down and stop charging or using the device. This consumer warning is based on the recent reports involving lithium-ion batteries in some of the Note7 devices that have resulted in fires. These incidents have occurred while charging and during normal use, which has led us to call for consumers to power down their Note7 or in other words stop using them.

Airlines have been also instructed to inform passengers to be wary of the Note7 problem and have cautioned travelers to not switch on their device, the notice came after FAA issued a warning.

Samsung’s Reaction

In Malaysia Samsung has issued statement on the matter, while the phones have yet to go on sale here, in markets where the device was launched earlier the company is working cooperatively to formally announce an official recall of the devices, as soon as possible. The US agency is also working quickly to determine whether a replacement Galaxy Note7 is an acceptable remedy for Samsung or their phone carriers to provide to consumers.

Meanwhile as an immediate response, Samsung has declared a Note7 Exhange Program for American citizens, where they can get a replacement unit of the same model (pending CPSC approval), exchange for a S7 or S7 edge with refund on difference. The carriers and retail outlets will also provide customers, who prefer a replacement Note7, with a Samsung loaner phone to use until new Note7s are available and will also receive a $25 gift card or bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets.