Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Recall: Three Things You Need To Know

The Samsung recall of the Galaxy Note 7 just went official as of 9/15/16 and is backed by the full force of the U.S. government. The good news is that unlike the hoverboard debacle that plagued shoppers early in 2016, the Samsung recall is backed by a huge, respectable company that knows its reputation with consumers is on the line. Samsung has hammered out an attractive deal with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and all the details are below.

Samsung makes recall official on eve of new iPhone launch https://t.co/vQSWypxRlU

— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) September 16, 2016

Samsung Recall of the Galaxy Note 7: How it Works

The good news for those affected by the Samsung recall is that there are three excellent options. As of 9/15/16, Samsung had reported 92 reports of overheating batteries in the popular smartphones, including 26 skin burn injuries and 55 reports of damage to property. Those include fires in several cars and a fire in a garage. Any Samsung Galaxy Note 7 bought before September 15, 2016 should be powered down immediately. Consumers should contact the wireless carrier or retail outlet where they bought their phone. Consumers who purchased directly from Samsung should call the company itself. Next, decide from the following three actions:

Related: How to Get Your Money Back for a Hoverboard

How to Tell if a Phone Falls Under the Samsung Recall

Basically, any Galaxy Note 7 bought before September 15, 2016 is part of the Samsung Recall. Consumers who bought their Note 7 before that date should choose one of the three methods above. To make doubly sure, owners can check a device for recall status by using the Samsung+ app or by checking the serial number. To use the serial number method, follow the steps below:

• Find the serial number (IMEI) by looking at the back of the phone.
• Alternately, find the serial number by going to Apps>Settings>About Phone.
• Alternately, find the serial number by choosing General Management > Status > IMEI information / Serial Number.
• Once the serial number is known, check if the phone falls under the recall by going to the Samsung Recall page, scrolling down to the blue “Check” button and typing it into the box.

Who to Contact About the Samsung Recall

Where a consumer goes to activate the Samsung Recall of the Galaxy Note 7 depends on where the phone was purchased. The phones were sold by electronics stores, wireless carriers and by Samsung itself. Buyers should contact the store, outlet or retailer where they purchased the phone. Be sure to contact only the place where you actually bought the phone. If the phone was purchased from some other retailer, online store, website or outlet, contact that location directly.

Are Other Phones Affected by the Samsung Recall?

The only phone affected by the current Samsung recall is the Galaxy Note 7. All other phones are safe and should remain that way. The Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge are not affected. There have been no reports of those phones catching fire and Samsung customers can continue using them with confidence.

The Samsung recall seems to be going well, but consumers who experience trouble should contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) directly. The CPSC Galaxy Note 7 recall page is here, and Samsung’s own recall page is here. For an example of a recall that isn’t going quite as smoothly, check out our coverage of the recent hoverboard recall here.