Globe, Smart recall Samsung Note 7 phones

Samsung Galaxy Note 7. AP FILE PHOTO

Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc.’s Smart Communications asked subscribers to return their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, part of an unprecedented recall ordered by the South Korean technology giant after it failed to resolve problems that caused some of its handsets to explode.

Globe said in a statement it would immediately discontinue selling the Note 7 and would no longer issue “same device replacements” to customers.

“We are taking this matter seriously and will do everything we can to keep our customers from harm when using our service,” it added.

Yoly Crisanto, head of corporate communications at Globe, said the company was retrieving about 2,500 Note 7s and replacing them “with a device of equivalent value.” Globe launched the Note 7 in August.

Ramon Isberto, public affairs head at PLDT and Smart, issued a similar statement. Smart advised customers to stop using the Note 7 and to power it down.

“If you obtained your phone from us, please go back to the Smart store so we can help you,” Isberto said.

Samsung said it had halted production of the phone and advised all carrier and retail partners around the globe “to stop sales and exchanges of the Note 7.”