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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Battery Crisis 2016: Recalls and Cause

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was withdrawn in October 2016 because its batteries could short-circuit internally and catch fire. Samsung first replaced the phones,…

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LAUNCH

A flagship with a big battery

Samsung unveiled the Note7 in New York on 2 August 2016, with a 3,500 mAh battery in a 7.9 mm body. It went on sale on 19 August.

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FIRST FIRES

Sales halted after 35 cases

Burnt phones appeared in South Korea from 24 August. On 2 September Samsung stopped sales and promised to replace about 2.5 million phones.

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RECALL

The official US recall

The US recalled about 1 million Note7s after 92 reports of overheating, including 26 burns and 55 cases of property damage.

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FAILED FIX

A replacement smokes on a plane

No. A replacement Note7 filled a Southwest jet with smoke at Louisville before take-off. More replacement fires followed.

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THE END

Production stops, flights banned

Samsung stopped sales on 10 October and production on 11 October. The US recalled 1.9 million phones and banned the Note7 from all flights.

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THE CAUSE

Two batteries, two defects

Battery A's pouch was too small, bending an electrode. Battery B had welding burrs that pierced the separator. Both caused short circuits.

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SECOND LIFE

Refurbished as the Note FE

Samsung sold refurbished Note7s with smaller batteries as the Galaxy Note FE and planned to recover 157 tonnes of metals.

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TODAY

Power banks are the new risk

The FAA verified 93 lithium battery incidents on planes in 2025. ICAO now allows two power banks per passenger, with no charging on board.

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