Samsung has started the recall of Galaxy Note7 phablets in South Korea. Samsung Electronics distributed 100,000 new Note 7 units to smartphone vendors run by SK Telecom, KT and LG U+, Korea Joongang Daily reports. No official data has been released as to how many recalls were made on the first day. "We released one fourth of the entire volume sold since Aug. 19 today and today's recall data will help us project roughly when the recall process will wrap up," said a Samsung spokesman.
The recall procedure differs according to operator. Customers who acquired a Note7 from SK Telecom and KT must get their replacements at the store that sold them the phone. LG U+ customers can visit any shop operated by the operator.
To distinguish the new Note 7 units from the old ones, Samsung has changed the color of the battery gauge on the display from white to green. Samsung is also handing out a gift voucher to affected customers. Voucher uers will receive a credit of KRW 30,000 (approximately USD 27) on their mobile bill next month.
Samsung offered full refunds to Note 7 owners until Monday. According to SK Telecom, the percentage of customers requesting a refund is below 5 percent. Samsung also lent Galaxy A and J smartphones to Note 7 users until 18 September.
The recalls are scheduled to last until end-September. Samsung is in talks with mobile operators to extend the deadline to March. For customers who plan to continue to use their original Note 7 units, Samsung has released a software upgrade. This will limit battery-charging capacity to 60 percent. "When the battery is charged up to 60 percent, or 2,100 mAh, the shortage of energy inside the battery lowers the possibility of any hazard occurring", reads a SMS sent by Samsung to all of its Note 7 customers.
