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Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

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Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#111

Does anyone else think like me this might be a one time failure that is caused by the replacement phone being dropped or mishandled? Or, perhaps, a setup by the competition? Unless I see statistical evidence that replacement Note 7 is catching on fire (random, different circumstances), then I do not see a reason to believe Note 7 replacement is b0rked. Unfortunately, most people do not reason like that. Samsung's rep…

Most people don't reason like that because there is no acceptable reason for a phone to catch fire from "mishandling" or "dropping".

This was even after they thought they fixed the issue, so of course it looks very bad. Not only did they build a dangerous consumer device, it seems they did not actually fix it the second time around.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#112
post #69

Samsung really needs to cut bait here, accept and admit fully that they made a major engineering mistake, come clean, and forcibly recall ALL the devices, before there is a major disaster. The time for serious, adult action was several weeks ago. From here on out, they deserve what they get.

Samsung has issued a forcible recall for all the devices. This was not one of the recalled device, it's a new model without the original flaw. This must have been something different.

Which begs the question - given the hundreds of millions of smartphones with out there - how many, even without a manufacturing flaw, end up smoking/catching fire? 1 in a million? 1 in 10 million?

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't follow this at all. I definitely have a very skewed sample, but I haven't ever met a single person who didn't know exactly what type of smartphone they own. Phones are expensive, a Note 7 would be nearly brand new and is the most expensive and highest quality phone out there. I would guess that 99% of owners know what they have. People don't just pick up top-of-the-line flagships on a whim, only the most rich…

Well the Galaxy Note 7 is a higher end device so maybe. But my parents both bought smartphones and they couldn't name the model. I tested this theory just now and my dad got the even the manufacturer wrong.

Right - the parent was saying if you have the absolute latest flagship phone, you're likely to know it. The type of people who don't know the model of their phone are those who aren't buying the "Just released in last 60 days and is the most expensive in it's class" type smartphones.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#114
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn't their only appliance that has been catching fires. There are several washing machines in Australia, made by Samsung, that have caused house fires.

Source?

Here you go, AU gov notice:

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/samsung-samsung-top-...

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#115
post #32

I think you're forgetting your forum. HN has a very very pro-Apple bias. Anything good for Apple or bad for Apples competitors will get a disproportionate amount of attention here.

We're going to add a site guideline asking not to post claims like this unless you have data. Otherwise it's just distracting rhetoric.

Everyone always thinks HN is biased against their view. Since all these positions contradict one another, they must stem from cognitive bias rather than reality. That explains why discussions based on them are never any good.

We detached this subthread from https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12646627 and marked it off-topic.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#116
post #85

What percentage of Galaxy Note 7 owners know they have a Galaxy Note 7? I imagine some break down is: I have an Android phone. I have a Samsung phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note. But Samsung Galaxy Note 7, specifically? I'm guessing at best 50% might know that.

I don't follow this at all. I definitely have a very skewed sample, but I haven't ever met a single person who didn't know exactly what type of smartphone they own. Phones are expensive, a Note 7 would be nearly brand new and is the most expensive and highest quality phone out there. I would guess that 99% of owners know what they have. People don't just pick up top-of-the-line flagships on a whim, only the most rich…

Meh. I had to look up what version of iPhone I had earlier today. All I know is I bought it within the last 3 years.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#117
post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. It is a pro-Apple bias that is causing people to be worried/upset about cell phone batteries that can spontaneously catch on fire. You've figured out the conspiracy.

No, but it's pro-Apple bias that makes you think that this only happens to Samsung. https://bgr.com/2016/10/04/iphone-6s-battery-explosion-fire/ https://bgr.com/2016/09/30/iphone-7-plus-battery-explosion-a...

iPhones have not had a history of exploding in large numbers, as opposed to Samsung devices.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#118
post #4

This entire episode seems hard to believe. How could Sammy fail so hard after so many years of industry knowledge? What corners did they cut? Is it just unbalanced reporting or possibly sabotage? Seriously don't believe they got wrong what everyone else seems to have dodged.

[deleted]

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Informally issuing a recall without going through proper government channels and accepting returns for a consumer product that poses a danger to life due to a design defect is basically the bare minimum you could possibly do in a case like this. Shipping someone a replacement that still catches fire definitely isn't helping their perception with anyone who was going to give them a second chance.

Since it seems my opinion is entirely off base I am curious how you would have liked to have seen the replacements handled? What would be above and beyond in this case?

Around 2001 there were all kinds of laptop battery recalls, where they would send you two new ones and a box to return the old one; that's above and beyond. Since battery replacement is not applicable and advance shipping a $$$ phone return is a big risk, Samsung could have worked with carriers to authorize replacement of carrier branded models at the carrier store, even if original purchased somewhere else. If the phones are serviceable, they could have made a replace the battery while you wait program, so people don't need to transfer data etc.

Re: Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane

#120
post #78
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And the event taking place on an airplane is close enough to the nightmare scenario of catching fire during a flight that it will be firmly placed into the public consciousness.

I flew Emirates last week, and the preflight announcement about electronic devices said use of all devices was ok, except Galaxy Note 7 which need to stay turned off during the whole flight. I can't imagine much worse PR, when yoir products are routinely called out by neutral third parties for being an actual hazard source.

And this thing was supposedly off when it started smoking:

"Green said that he had powered down the phone as requested by the flight crew and put it in his pocket when it began smoking."

What's the remedy here? All Galaxy Notes in the airtight metal box until we land?

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