Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Problems: Tech Giant Warns South Korean Customers Against Using Phone

Samsung Electronics warned South Korean customers Saturday against using its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones. The company has issued a worldwide recall of the model after several of them caught fire.

The South Korea-based company asked local users to approach the nearest company service center to receive rental phones for temporary use. The technology giant is planning on replacing its latest smartphone model’s batteries in South Korea starting Sept. 19.

“We again express our sincere apologies to our customers who value our products,” the company reportedly said.

The company confirmed at least 35 cases of the phone catching fire, mostly when it was on charge. The phone was launched Aug. 19.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration advised passengers Thursday against them bringing the faulty models on the flight. The FAA warned passengers against even packing the phone in their luggage as the risk of ignition is too great to take a chance on.

“Samsung continues to ensure that consumer safety remains our top priority. We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note7s and exchange them now,” Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America said in a statement. “New Note7 replacement devices will be issued to exchange program participants upon completion of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission process. In the interim, consumers can return their Note7 for another device.”

The technology giant announced plans of recalling nearly 2.5 million phones after it found that the rechargeable lithium batteries provided by one of its suppliers were faulty.