Samsung begins Galaxy Note7 exchange, refund in UAE

Samsung Gulf Electronics has started the exchange and refund process for Galaxy Note7 devices in the UAE, the company announced on Wendesday.
Starting today, Samsung Note7 owners can bring their device, regardless of the original point of purchase, to any of the following Samsung Brand Shops to exchange their Galaxy Note7 for a Galaxy S7 edge with a refund of the price difference in the form of cash or a gift voucher.
The company has announced 14 locations in all major malls in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah for the process. In Dubai, malls include, The Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Deira City Centre, Burjuman, Ibn Battuta Mall.
Abu Dhabi malls include Marina Mall, Khalidiya Mall, Bawabat Al Sharq, Dalma Mall and Al Wahda Mall. In Sharjah, customers can exchange their Note7 or get a refund at Sahara Center, Sharjah City Centre and Nasseriah Centre.
Consumers who wish to obtain a full refund are asked to bring their Galaxy Note7 and the original receipt to the original point of purchase.
Recently, Dubai Airports banned passengers from carrying the Note7 and announced that all passengers are completely prohibited from carrying the Samsung Galaxy Note7 on any airline whatsoever, that is flying from Dubai.
UAE-based airlines had also "enforced" a total ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones in the wake of their global recall on battery issue. Last week, Samsung Gulf Electronics confirmed that with consumers' safety as a priority, the Korean tech giant had stopped sales, exchanges and production of the Galaxy Note7 globally.
"Consumers in the Gulf region with either an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available," the company said.
Samsung -- which is the world's largest maker of smartphones -- has halted production of its latest mobile device and recalled all Note 7 phones and replacements because of ongoing reports of exploding batteries and resultant fires.
abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com