After varying reports in the US stemming from battery explosions and overheating in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, resulting in 13 reports of burns and 47 reports of property damages, including more than 23 new ones since the September 15 recall, it is safe to say the phablet is a walking time-bomb.
Subsequent to halting the sales and production, the US Department of Transportation has banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on safety grounds. The device will not be allowed on any flight coming to and from the country, even if they’re turned off.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had initially urged travelers not to turn on their phones, pack them in checked luggage or charge them during a flight.
According to Bloomberg, it is now “considered a forbidden hazardous material under the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations.” That means the smartphone join the category of banned substances such as as flammable aerosols, fireworks, lighter fluid and light-anywhere matches: not allowed aboard a plane.
Airlines has been asked to deny boarding to people who don’t give up their Galaxy Note 7. All cases of this law being breached might result to confiscation, payment of fines or worse- criminal persecution for evasion of a federal ban.
Last week, Samsung revealed discontinuing the Galaxy Note 7 will cost the company about 3.5 trillion Korean Won (~$3.1 billion) over the current and next quarter. It also announced a significant cut in its third-quarter profit forecast by 2.6 Trillion South Korean Won.
The South Korean firm also revealed it will make noteworthy changes to its quality assurance processes to enhance product safety for consumers and expand sales of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, rather than release upgraded versions.
