Samsung Electronics Ltd. is collaborating with Health Canada to accelerate the nationwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.
The electronic giant’s Mississauga-based Canadian arm revealed the news on Friday, while emphasizing that additional details would be forthcoming.
“Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with the support you need with safety and peace of mind as our top priority,” the company said in a statement. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience.”
The well-reviewed Note 7 first came under scrutiny two weeks ago, after YouTube user Ariel Gonzalez posted a video depicting his burned-up Note 7, which he said had caught fire while he was charging it before class.
Samsung later confirmed that the devices were suffering from a “battery cell issue” after conducting an investigation of its own, and announced that it would voluntarily replace them, on Sept. 2.
While the company has not released any numbers, its official statement called the expense to do so an “annoyance,” while the head of its smartphone business called the price a “heartbreaking amount.” According to business reporting firm Bloomberg News, the recall could wind up costing the company more than $1 billion.
For now, owners of the 64 GB black, silver, or blue Note 7 are invited to visit the product’s official Canadian recall page to initiate their exchange. After providing Samsung with their address, mobile number, and product number, they will hear from a representative within 48 hours, the company promises.
Samsung even exchanged the review unit it provided to ITBusiness.ca – after contacting editor Brian Jackson on Friday, it sent a courier today to finalize the trade.