Samsung's latest and most prized gem, Galaxy Note 7, has come to a halt in production. This is one of the most disastrous events in the history of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.
Just after withstanding their tremendous global recall of about 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s last month and providing replacements, these newly distributed replacement devices still had defects and caught fire, according to a report published by The Guardian.
Replacement Note 7 Sales Halted In U.S. and Australian Carriers
With regards to the event, giant U.S. and Australian carriers also temporarily stopped sales and exchanges of the new Galaxy Note 7 units.
Verizon Communication Inc, the leading U.S. wireless carrier, announced that they will suspend sending replacements of Note 7s and will instead let customers choose whatever smartphone they want. AT&T, on the other hand, would let customers choose another Samsung smartphone if possible or any other smartphone they wish, based on a news article released by Reuters.
To further make things worse than it already is, on Oct. 5, 2016, a Southwest Airlines flight in Kentucky made passengers evacuate as a replacement Note 7 set ablaze and made "popping noises" right after the owner boarded the aircraft.
While these tragic events took place, Samsung customers spread pictures via social media of burnt Galaxy Note 7s - causing more embarrassment to Samsung, one of the most reputed companies who advocate quality and innovation in the electronics industry since the 1960s.
Samsung's Reaction
At the moment, the giant tech company is silent and refrains from discussing the issue. There is no official statement released by Samsung and sources did not comment with regards to the suspended production.
However, this did not stop critiques from talking. Eric Schiffer, brand strategy expert and chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, said, "If the Note 7 is allowed to continue it could lead to the single greatest act of brand self-destruction in the history of modern technology."
"Samsung needs to take a giant write-down and cast the Note 7 to the engineering hall of shame next to the Ford Pinto."
With destructive comments constantly bombarding Samsung, there is no telling as to how customers will still patronize their products. "What's scary is that this is causing people to repeatedly doubt Samsung's fundamental capabilities, so it's important for Samsung to get past this issue quickly," said Park Jung-hoon, HDC Asset Management fund manage and Samsung shares holder.
