Replacement Note 7 units in UAE stores by end of September

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: New Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobiles phones, which have been recalled in the UAE and elsewhere, are expected to be in stores by the end of September, UAE-based customer care reps of Samsung and retailers said on Sunday.

Some of the devices had caught fire or “exploded” because of battery problems. However, no such incidents have been reported in the UAE. Still, customers globally have been urged to hand in their devices for replacement with new units.

In the UAE, the new units are expected by month end. Customers can hand in their existing devices at Samsung service centres. Their details will be taken and they will be contacted when the new units arrive. There is no charge for the process.

If there is no available replacement in stock, or if the device has malfunctioned, the customer will be given a loan unit until the replacement is issued, a Samsung customer care agent said on Sunday.

Samsung Note 7 customers can call Samsung directly on 8007267864 for guidance on this issue.

Electronic stores in Abu Dhabi have also confirmed that they have also removed the Galaxy Note 7 from their shelves. A sales representative from Jumbo Electronics told Gulf News that the Note 7 could be back in store by the end of the month.

“We removed all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones last week after Samsung recalled the device because of some technical issues that some of the smartphones were having. We are expecting the Note 7 to be back on the shelves in a few weeks time until Samsung resolves the issue. It is completely out of our control.

“So far we have had no customers who have come to our store reporting any battery explosions,” the rep added.

Another sales rep from Axiom Telecom also confirmed the recall of the smartphone.

“We removed the Samsung Note 7 last week because Samsung reported that there was an issue with the device. There isn’t a confirmed date as yet for when the Note 7 will be brought back, but it will be a few weeks at most.

“It is not an issue from our side, we are only following the recall that was made by Samsung, once they feel that the problem has been fixed we can then start reselling the product. At the moment we have not had any of our customers reporting any battery explosion.”

Both sales reps told Gulf News that customers who have purchased the Samsung Note 7 can return their devices directly to Samsung, and that Samsung would be responsible for replacing the device.