Samsung Note 7 Investigation Blames Batteries for Explosions: WSJ

On January 23rd Samsung will admit that “irregularly sized batteries” were to blame for the problem that caused Galaxy Note 7 handsets to explode, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.

The report details that Samsung hired three independent “quality-control and supply-chain analysis firms” to perform the investigation, and these firms both concluded that two separate faults affected the Note 7 device.

The main reason behind the recall seems to be indeed irregularly sized batteries that caused the phone to overheat. However, that was not the only reason, and other Galaxy Note 7 had batteries that were manufactured defectively.

The Galaxy Note 7 carried batteries manufactured by either Samsung SDI or Amperex Technology, a Hong Kong company that makes the batteries at a factory in China. At first, the company thought only the Samsung SDI-made batteries were defective and acted quickly to recall those units, but the following ramp-up of production at Amperex resulted in faulty manufacturing and problems arose again, causing the full recall.

The South Korean company has announced that it will reveal the full findings of its Galaxy Note 7 investigation at a press conference in South Korea on January 23rd, so be sure to get the popcorn ready.

“Following several months of comprehensive investigations, Samsung executives will announce the cause of the Galaxy Note 7 incidents and quality enhancement plan during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on January 23, 2017 at 10am (KST),” it confirmed.

The demise of the Note 7 came at the worst possible time–just ahead of last fall’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus announcement.

Maybe they will make use of that recently-announced battery with a built-in fire extinguisher?

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