Some U.S. Galaxy Note 7 Buyers Already Getting Replacements

USA aviation safety officials also have warned airline passengers not to turn on or charge the phone during flights, or put them in checked bags.

The world's largest smartphone maker discovered problem in its battery pack and announced it will recall all 2.5 million Galaxy Note7 sold over the last month with risk-prone batteries starting with the home turf next week.

A top Samsung executive in the United States on Thursday apologized to customers and pledged to expedite the recall. Baxter also stresses the importance of actually turning off and replacing your device, imploring users not to keep testing a potentially risky, exploding phone. "We are asking owners to act now by powering down their Note7 devices and receive a replacement devices or a refund through our exchange program".

"The FAA issued the Safety Alert for Operators, or SAFO, in conjunction with a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration safety advisory", the agency said in a statement. The faulty Note 7 has caused some serious injuries to the users and it forced Samsung to recall the device.

"You are, therefore, directed to, within seven days of the receipt of this letter, furnish the Council with information on the full status of your compliance with the global directive of Samsung to recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 forthwith". It will start issuing replacement devices in South Korea on Sept 19, while US replacements will start on Sep 21.

The software update will be mandatory for 159 Note 7 devices bought by customers in Hong Kong and Macau between August 26 and September 1. Excuse me, I'm on the phone.

Meanwhile, Samsung Thailand has confirmed that its stock of the Galaxy Note 7 have been returned to South Korea and that all future models that will go on sale in Thailand will be from a new batch and not the from previously recalled devices.

The current recall deals a costly blow to Samsung, which had been betting on the Galaxy Note 7 to bolster its sales against competitors such as Apple and its recently released iPhone 7 and iPhone Plus.

The company is now being sued by a man from USA, after his Samsung Galaxy Note 7 blew up while it was in his front pocket.