It looks like at least some of Samsung’s Note 7 replacement devices are still experiencing dire difficulties, with news now surfacing that a Note 7 burst into flames on a plane earlier today, according to a report stemming from The Verge.
The Southwest Airlines flight 944 from Louisville to Baltimore was evacuated this morning at the gate due to a Note 7 smoking and flames. No injuries were reported and the crew and passengers exited the plane via the main cabin door.
The Verge spoke to the phone’s owner, Brian Green, in order to confirm that he picked up the new phone from AT&T’s store on September 21st. He claims that the device in question features a replacement battery, confirmed by a black square located on the phone’s box as well as a green battery icon. Canadian replacement Note 7s also feature a black square on the box indicating the device is safe.
Green says that he powered down the phone before the flight took off, placed the Note 7 in his pocket, and then if began smoking, emitting what he describes as “thick grey-green angry smoke.” The phone reportedly burned through the carpet and scorched the floor of the plane. He also says that the phone was charged to about 80 percent battery capacity and that he only used a wireless charger since receiving the updated device.
As of a few weeks ago, Samsung Canada claims that 70 percent of Canadian Note 7 devices have registered for a replacement. It’s unclear exactly what happened with Greens device, or if his claims regarding receiving a replacement Note 7 are true. Any way you look at it, however, this is bad news for Samsung.
Update o6/10/16: Samsung has released the following statement about the incident.
“Until we are able to retrieve the device, we cannot confirm that this incident involves the new Note 7. We are working with the authorities and Southwest now to recover the device and confirm the cause. Once we have examined the device we will have more information to share.”
Related: Samsung says 70 percent of Canadian Note 7 owners have registered for a replacement
[source]The Verge[/source]
