The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning to owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone to stop using the phone. This comes a week after fires and explosions prompted the company to halt sales. The agency and Samsung say they are preparing an official recall. Meanwhile, the company has provided only sketchy details to U.S. customers on when replacement phones would be available.
However, information released in other countries may provide hints.
A Samsung website in Australia has posted information saying that phones would be replaced in that country starting September 21. The site says that boxes for the new phones will have a small black square on the white barcode, and a round sticker with a big letter "S."
The site also says a database would be available starting September 13 that would enable consumers to see if any Note7 was safe by typing in the phone's IMEI number. (IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, which is unique to each phone. You can find your phone's IMEI by dialing *#06#; the number should pop up on your screen.) Android Authority was the first to report on the Australian site.
Samsung representatives in the United States wouldn't comment on whether any of those details would apply here. The company promised to provide more details on Monday.
Consumers in the United States who don't want to wait can have their Note7 phones refunded now or get a loaner from "select" retail locations. Customers can also exchange the Note7 for other models.
Here's what the major U.S. mobile carriers are telling their customers today:
Mobile Carrier Exchange/Refund Programs
AT&T
Customers with a Note7 may exchange it for a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S7 active, or any other smartphone, and may also return any Note7 accessories. If a customer chooses another Samsung device, he or she will receive a bill credit of $25 per device. Customers who exchange their Note7 can keep their new device, or trade it in for a new Note7 when it becomes available.
Sprint
Customers with Note7 phones have three options.
1.They can replace a current Galaxy Note7 with a new one once replacement phones become available.
2. They can exchange the device now for a Samsung Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge. They can also exchange or return any Note7 accessories. All customers choosing a new Note7 or Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge will get a $25 service credit applied to their Sprint account within the next 90 days.
3. Customers can also exchange their Note7 for any other Sprint device. The company is waiving restocking and shipping fees.
T-Mobile
Customers have two options.
1. They can return the Note7 to T-Mobile for a full refund on both the phone any Note7 accessories. T-Mobile says it will waive any restocking charges and shipping fees, and customers can keep the free Netflix subscription and Gear Fit or SD card they received with purchase during pre-order.
2. Consumers can wait for new Note7 inventory to arrive, and exchange their current phone for a new one. The company says it will notify customers when the replacement phones are available.
Verizon
Verizon says that through September 30, 2016, it is waiving the restocking fee for any customer who purchased a Galaxy Note7 and wishes to return it or exchange it for a different model.
