Exploding phablet phears phorce Samsung Galaxy Note 7 delay

Reports of the new Galaxy Note 7 exploding while being charged has caused Samsung to halt shipment of the high-end "phablet."

South Korean news agency Yonhap first reported that the company has halted delivery of the device after no fewer than five people complained about "explosions." Some shared pictures of their burnt-out phones online, prompting a wave of bad publicity for a device that has received largely positive reviews.

Samsung at first refused to acknowledge it had called a halt to shipments, but when several mobile phone companies confirmed that they are currently no longer providing the Galaxy Note 7, a spokesman told Reuters that "shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 are being delayed due to additional tests being conducted for product quality."

Online sleuths claim to have noticed a common theme in the burn-outs: the use of a microUSB to USB Type-C converter – in other words using a cord for an older device to work with the newer data and charging socket.

Such converters have become notorious for failing to meet specs, leading to Amazon banning them from its online store earlier this year. The Galaxy Note 7 is the first to come with USB-C.

The latest version of the popular tablet went on sale August 19, and Samsung has already sold 400,000 of them – more than it expected, causing a delay in shipments to markets outside its home of South Korea. ®