Galaxy Note 7 Recall: Samsung America Says Most Units Replaced

Samsung Electronics America said on Friday it has replaced nearly 85 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices as it works to resolve the issue of fire-prone phones.

South Korean parent company Samsung Electronics Co Ltd announced the global recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s in early September following numerous reports of the smartphones catching fire.

(Also see: Samsung Reviewing Ways to Limit Environmental Impact of Galaxy Note 7)

Samsung will be releasing a software update in the coming days to limit the phone's ability to charge beyond 60 percent, Samsung Electronics America said in a statement.

We remain focused on collecting the outstanding Galaxy Note 7 phones in the market. To further drive participation, we will be releasing a software update in the coming days that will limit the phone's ability to charge beyond 60 percent, as well as issue a reminder pop-up notification every time a consumer charges, reboots or turns on the screen of their Note 7 device.

Any Galaxy Note 7 owner who has not yet participated in the US Note 7 Refund and Exchange Program should immediately power down their phone and contact their carrier or retailer today.

Samsung said that the majority of participants of the program opted to receive another Samsung smartphone.

The large-scale recall has offered rival smartphone makers such as Apple, LG Electronics and Alphabet Inc's Google an opportunity to win over Samsung customers.

On top of the Galaxy Note 7 recall, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd on Friday said it would recall about 2.8 million top-load washing machines in the United States following reports of injuries.

© Thomson Reuters 2016