Samsung said Wednesday that it was sending fireproof return kits to customers in the United States who still own the Galaxy Note 7. It’s a precautionary measure against possible explosions of the device while being returned to retailers. The Korean company is offering fireproof boxes to American customers who purchased the device on its website. Those who purchased their Galaxy Note 7 phablets from carriers should visit the respective carrier’s website for recall instructions.
Samsung recalling both original and replacement Note 7s
Samsung might not have taken great care while manufacturing its flagship Galaxy Note 7 phablets. The devices would catch fire and explode, prompting the Korean company to recall 2.5 million Note 7s worldwide and replace them with “safe” Note 7s. But Samsung was left red-faced when the replacement Galaxy Note 7 units started catching fire.
And now the company is taking great care to ensure that consumers who still own a Galaxy Note 7 can return the device safely. Sending fireproof boxes and special gloves to consumers will go a long way in ensuring safety. On Tuesday, Samsung permanently discontinued production and sales of the Note 7. Wireless carriers and retailers have also stopped sales and exchanges of the device. The company is recalling both the original and replacement Galaxy Note 7s.
Here’s what the Galaxy Note 7 return kit looks like
A video posted by XDA Developers shows the return kit that Samsung is sending to Note 7 owners contains not only a fireproof box but also a set of special gloves. The return kit includes a Static Shielding Pouch, which is supposed to be put inside an OEM Replacement Box, inside an Inner Box, inside a thermally insulated Recovery Box. Should the Note 7 within the return kit catch fire or explode, there is little chance of harm to anything outside the Recovery Box.
It also includes instructions for ground shipping only. Shipping firms had complained that they didn’t want to handle the Galaxy Note 7 returns due to safety concerns. Samsung said the return kit conforms with the US government’s requirements for the shipping of lithium-ion batteries or products containing them that are subject to recall. The Korean company also informed users that the return package was “forbidden for transport by aircraft.”
Samsung cuts its earnings estimates
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident that involved a supposedly safe Galaxy Note 7 catching fire on a Southwest Airlines plane. The massive recall and then discontinuation of the Note 7 are estimated to cost Samsung billions of dollars.
On Wednesday, Samsung lowered its third-quarter earnings estimates by about 33% due to the Note 7 fiasco. The company has slashed its July-September operating profit estimate from 7.8 trillion won to 5.2 trillion won. Revenue estimates have also been revised down from 49 trillion won to 47 trillion won.
