Samsung launches IMEI check in China and Hong Kong to replace faulty Galaxy Note 7 units

Samsung has issued a voluntary recall of all Galaxy Note 7 units that it has shipped since the handset was released. The company has said that it's going to provide replacement inventory within two weeks. The recall is due to a battery cell issue identified in the Galaxy Note 7 and apparently Samsung SDI's batteries are at fault. Samsung's battery affiliate meets 70 percent of the battery cell demand for the Galaxy Note 7 whereas the remaining demand is met by China's ATL.

The Galaxy Note 7 recall does not affect customers in China as the majority of units shipped to the People's Republic and Hong Kong use ATL's batteries. To be absolutely sure that there are no potentially faulty units in the hands of customers, Samsung has launched an online IMEI check tool through which users can determine if they need to get their unit replaced. The IMEI check tool is only meant for customers in China, Hong Kong and Macau, if you bought your unit from anywhere else it won't be of any help to you.

Those who find that the IMEI number of their device is in the affected IMEI number range can then get in touch with Samsung's authorized re-sellers and distributors to claim their free replacement of the Galaxy Note 7. Customers also have the option to claim a refund for whatever they spent on the Galaxy Note 7 if they are no longer confident about the device and don't wish to use it anymore.

Adnan Farooqui - Executive Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-E900

Adnan Farooqui is a long-term writer at SamMobile. Based in Pakistan, his interests include technology, finance, Swiss watches and Formula 1. His tendency to write long posts betrays his inclination to being a man of few words.

Via Phone Galaxy Note 7 Galaxy Note 7 recall