By Edwin Yu
Since early September, there have been 96 reported cases of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploding in the United States alone, including 13 reports of burns and 47 reports of property damage.
The phones started to explode because the insulation between the positive and negative terminals broke from the pressure of the components inside the battery. This created a short circuit which posed a fire hazard. With the reports of the Note 7 suddenly bursting into flames, Samsung issued a recall of the phones sold before Sept. 15.
After the first recall, Samsung started replacing old phones with new, supposedly safe ones. Although the new ones were promised to be safe, they failed to prevent more explosions from occurring.
On Oct. 5, a replacement model of the Note 7 exploded on a Southwest Airlines flight, causing an evacuation. Furthermore, a Note 7 exploded when a man was sleeping, filling his bedroom with smoke. The man ended up going to the hospital after he started vomiting a black substance.
With these dangerous explosions continually occurring, Samsung has issued a second recall on Oct. 13, now on all models over the world.
The Transportation Department has also banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from all flights, as opposed to the previous urge to keep the devices off. The ban will be effective by Oct. 15 at noon.
Because of these incidents, Samsung has been damaged. By issuing a recall, Samsung will lose billions in revenue. Their reputation as a company will also be damaged significantly. People will see Samsung as inconsiderate and careless for releasing such a disastrous phone as the Note 7.
As long as people still use the Note 7 without caring for the safety problems, there will continue to be health concerns.
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References:
C., Smith. (2016, September 16). Samsung finally confirms when new Galaxy Note 7s will arrive. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://bgr.com/2016/09/16/galaxy-note-7-recall-replacement-date/
Cameron, D. (2016, October 14). U.S. Bans Samsung Note 7 Phones on Airplanes. Retrieved October 15, 2016, from http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-bans-samsung-note-7-phones-on-airplanes-1476477595
Cunningham, A. (2016, October 05). Replaced Galaxy Note 7 explodes on a Southwest flight. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/10/a-replacement-galaxy-note-7-catches-fire-on-a-plane/
Johnson, E. (2016, October 14). What happens to Samsung after the Note 7 disaster? Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://www.recode.net/2016/10/14/13279242/samsung-galaxy-note-7-exploding-battery-disaster-recode-podcast
R., Cheng. (2016, October 13). Samsung to Note 7 owners: Here’s an extra $100 for your phone. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-recall-galaxy-note-7-again-consumer-product-safety-100-dollars-credit/
S., Hollister. (2016, October 10). Here’s why Samsung Note 7 phones are catching fire. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from https://www.cnet.com/news/why-is-samsung-galaxy-note-7-exploding-overheating/
Samsung Expands Recall of Galaxy Note7 Smartphones Based on Additional Incidents with Replacement Phones; Serious Fire and Burn Hazards. (2016, October 13). Retrieved October 14, 2016, from https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Samsung-Expands-Recall-of-Galaxy-Note7-Smartphones-Based-on-Additional-Incidents-with-Replacement-Phones
Z., Epstein. (2016, October 09). Samsung stayed silent after ‘safe’ Galaxy Note 7 exploded and sent a man to the ER. Retrieved October 14, 2016, from http://bgr.com/2016/10/09/samsung-note-7-recall-replaccement-explosion/
