Why are Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones exploding, was there a recall and what’s wrong with the batteries?
There have also been reports of other Samsung phones exploding
IN today's world, it's not uncommon for people to be chained to their smartphones - and even sleep with them next to their bed.
Which is what made Samsung's terrifying waves of phone explosions even more scary.
Here's everything you need to know about the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handsets - and whether they can be returned.
Why was the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 exploding?
The controversy around the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices caused a major headache for the South Korean company.
Samsung was forced to scrap its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in 2016 when customers complained that they were bursting into flames and airlines banned them over safety fears.
Before the ban, Royal Mail were even refusing to deliver the phones.
The tech giant now says that wonky batteries were to blame, after launching a vast investigation which cost the company an estimated £4.3 billion.
Around 700 Samsung engineers carried out tests on 200,000 handsets and 30,000 batteries that were charged and drained over several months.
Was the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recalled?
Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 phones on October 10, 2016.
The company also stopped selling the phones, asking customers to back up and switch off them off as soon as possible.
If you have a Note 7, it is still eligible for the UK exchange programme.
Customers can swap their faulty phones for a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, with Samsung refunding the price difference.
Simply contact the retailer who sold you the phone - e.g. Samsung, Carphone Warehouse or O2 - and they will do the rest.
If you bought your phone on Samsung.com, call 0330 726 7467 between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Are there problems with any other Samsung phones?
American Daniel Ramirez was badly burned when his S7 Edge exploded in his pocket - prompting him to sue Samsung for £11,000.
And mum Georgie Tufnail warned women not to keep phones in their bras after the 31-year-old's Samsung Galaxy S7 burned her boob.
But the South Korean tech giant has say there aren't any confirmed issues with the S7, and there are no plans to recall the handset as there have only been a handful of incidents.
In March 2017, a four-year-old girl suffered second degree burns on her face after her dad's Samsung Galaxy Note 4 exploded while charging on her bedside table.
According to the child’s father, Feng Lingling, he awoke to sharp cries from his daughter and realised the device had burnt her face as well as the bedding.
She faces permanent disfigurement, according to local reports. Samsung’s China office has reportedly offered £1,189 (10,000 RMB) to the family to cover the girl’s medical bills.
In terms of the other Samsung phones, some of the explosions may have been caused by malfunctioning batteries - an issue which can be caused by using cheap charging cables.
Replacing your charger cable with an unofficial alternative can cause damage to your phone's battery - as, often, the electricity supply they provide is unstable.
It's a problem you won't be able to notice until it's too late and your phone has overheated - so phone manufacturers recommend only using the charger that came in the box, or a reputable replacement.
