Australia Carrier Blocks Remaining Note 7 Smartphones

Around the world there are still some users of the Galaxy Note 7 who just refuse to return the devices, which are prone to burst into flames during charging. The issue is so serious that many airlines around the world have banned the devices from aircraft. While in the US, the harshest stance that has been taken so far is to limit the battery of the device to 60%, things have gone much more serious in Australia.

Australia has now begun to carrier block all Note 7 smartphones left in consumer hands. This follows the same move made by New Zealand earlier this month. What this means for Aussies still holding onto recalled Note 7 smartphones is that the devices are no longer usable. If this doesn't push users of the Note 7 to return the devices nothing will.

Samsung has stated that a "small number" and Note 7 handsets remain in customer hands. The electronics giant doesn't say just how many devices constitutes a "small number." The Note 7 has caused quite the drama for Samsung with the original Note 7 devices catching fire when charging, a recall was issued and the devices replaced with supposedly safe Note 7s. The problem for Samsung really started when it was found that the supposedly safe Note 7 smartphones were still catching fire.

The debacle massively impacted Samsung in the wallet with mobile division profits dropping to the tune of 96% year-on-year and 98% compared to the last quarter. Samsung expects to shed 2.6 trillion won due to Note 7 issues in Q3. With New Zealand and Australia now carrier blocking these devices, you have to wonder if other countries will follow suit to get holdouts to finally comply with the recall.

SOURCE: ZDNet