Posted on 09/04/2016 3:04:29 AM PDT by Swordmaker
HONG KONG — A ubiquitous source of power in most modern technology, lithium-ion batteries keep cellphones, laptops, electric cars and airplanes running. They are also the source of many problems, with some overheating, catching fire and even exploding.
In a potentially damaging episode, Samsung, the world’s biggest maker of smartphones, announced on Friday that it would recall its Galaxy Note 7 model after discovering a flaw in the battery cell that could result in fires. The company will replace 2.5 million phones sent to stores and consumers, in one of the industry’s largest recalls.
The recall puts Samsung, which has been trying to match the success of the Apple iPhone, in a precarious position.
The smartphone industry is grappling with slowing demand and intense competition. Samsung was regaining swagger with its high-end phone models, like the Note 7, in which the screens appear to spill off the side.
But the battery fires threaten to undermine Samsung’s efforts, giving an edge to Apple. The recall comes just days before Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of its iPhone.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The company that supplies the batteries to Samsung can probably file for bankruptcy.
< apple rationalization mode >
It’s just 35 phones out of 2.5 million. That’s less than 0.0015% rate. There is no design issue. There is no problem. Never happened to me. It’s perfect.
< /apple rationalization mode >
I bet they now regret not building it with replaceable batteries.
samsung could cut their losses by giving those battery fires a bit more oomph and selling the “improved” versions to clandestine government agencies, though there’s probably not a big enough market for all 2.5 million of them.
Here is the Note 7 after a fire.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/horrified-man-posts-video-samsung-8761664
We have an old rental house for sale. My wife suggested we leave her Note in it.
That is something I don't care for a bit.
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