Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Replacement Goes Up In Smoke On A Plane

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in blue
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in blue Fionna Agomuoh

The latest Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset to explode is not one of the handsets that were part of the recall. Reports indicate a man’s new Galaxy Note 7, which is supposed to be certified as safe, began emitting smoke as he boarded a Southwest Airlines plane, according to the Verge.

Brian Green, the owner of the device, told the publication he bought a Galaxy Note 7 from AT&T on Sept. 21; the day carriers began offering new models, primarily for exchange. While boarding Southwest Airlines flight 944 from Louisville to Baltimore, he turned off his handset as per directives from airline staff. However, the handset soon began smoking and experienced damage, including a cracked screen and internal scorching.

The flight was evacuated and cancelled and all passengers were rebooked for later flights.

According to Green, the Galaxy Note 7 handset was at 80 percent battery power at the time of the incident, and he has charged the handset only with a wireless charger.

Samsung told the Verge in a statement it cannot confirm that the device in question is a Galaxy Note 7. While there were up to 97 cases of damage or injury pertaining to the recalled Galaxy Note 7, Samsung later reported that several claims were debunked or could not be confirmed.

However, Green also shared an image of the Galaxy Note 7 packaging, which includes the black square symbol that is supposed to denote a safe Galaxy Note 7.

Since new Galaxy Note 7 models became available, there have been continued reports of battery issues, such as sharp drops in battery power and battery depletion even while charging. Samsung has said these cases are isolated and not dangerous.

Green has since purchased an iPhone 7.

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