Samsung Electronics held a press conference on the 23rd and concluded its investigation on the cause of ignition within Galaxy Note 7 by announcing that it was caused by deficiency of Galaxy Note 7s’ batteries. Samsung Electronics presented solutions such as formation of task force for components of Smartphones, application of multi-safety devices, and formation of advisory panel to enforce safety of its next Smartphones such as Galaxy S8.
“We reenacted burning phenomenon during a large-scale testing on charging and discharging of 30,000 batteries and 200,000 Galaxy Note 7s.” said President Ko Dong-jin of Samsung Electronics Wireless Business Department. “We were able to see that phenomenon happen on A battery and B battery that were installed within Galaxy Note 7s due to different causes.”
“We established a large-scale of testing facility for reenactment and reenacted this burning phenomenon after going through many tests on charging and discharging under similar circumstances Galaxy Note 7 users were using Galaxy Note 7s.” said President Ko. “Through these tests, we were able to carry out accurate analysis.”
These tests completely dismissed opinions that some were suggesting about deficiency of design and software by Samsung Electronics.
“Our tests have proven that there were not any problems during a design process of Galaxy Note 7.” said President Ko. “We have received verifications on these tests from outside investigation organizations and academic industries.
To improve credibility and objectivity, Samsung Electronics had representatives from outside investigation organizations such as President Sajeev Jesudas of UL Consumer Business, Kevin White who is the chief researcher for Exponent, and Vice-President Holger Kunz of TUV Rheinland attend this press conference. UL and Exponent analyzed entire batteries and products in detail while TUV Rheinland carefully investigated distribution system of batteries, operation of process of assembly of phones, and safety of batteries.
After the investigations, UL and Exponent pointed out phenomenon where right corners of Samsung SDI batteries’ are squashed, ATL batteries abnormal fusion process, unattached insulating tape, and combination of thin separating films as the causes of ignition.. TUV Rheiland added by saying it did not find any causes that would impede safety during manufacturing process, transportation process, and distribution system of batteries.
Along with announcement of the cause of ignition, Samsung Electronics also presented its solutions such as ‘8-point inspection on safety of batteries’ and introduction of multi-safety devices that will prevent any recurrence of ignition. Samsung Electronics’ plan is to have safety as primary principle from planning step of next products such as Galaxy S8 that is expected to be released soon by securing space where battery can be mounted and strengthening software protection algorithms.
Samsung Electronics is going to newly establish a ‘task force for components’ to its current Quality Assurance Department and is going to bring in more outside experts. It is going to appoint lithium-ion battery experts that had carried out consulting regarding ignition within Galaxy Note 7 to its advisory panel.
“I feel strongly about responsibilities of not being able to verify Galaxy Note 7s accurately.” said President Ko. “We are going to strengthen management system that has quality as its primary principle and continue to work on new innovations.”
As Samsung Electronics found the causes of ignition, it announced that it will find eco-friendly ways to deal with Galaxy Note 7s that were recalled and their components.
It is heard that Samsung Electronics is looking into recycling components or re-selling them at cheap price to countries such as Africa and other developing countries where sales of flagship models are not active. Total of 3.06 million Galaxy Note 7s were sold globally and 96% of them were collected.
Staff Reporter Choi, Jaepil | jpchoi@etnews.com & Staff Reporter Ham, Jihyeon | goham@etnews.com