South Korean Galaxy Note 7 users totaling to 527 filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics over the controversy of its fire-prone smartphone units. Attorney Peter Young-Yeel Ko, head of the Harvest Law Firm, said Galaxy Note 7 users are appealing to be compensated for the liabilities it brought about. One of his clients claimed to have lost thousands of family trip photos. Another plaintiff affirmed he drove for eight hours round-trip to return his fire-prone smartphone. Samsung proposed to apportion coupons worth 30,000 won ($26) to all Note 7 users, while those who will purchase another Samsung phone would be provided 70,000 won ($62) coupons. As for those looking into upgrading their smartphone to Galaxy S8 or Note 8 next year will get 50 percent discount once they hand over their series 7 smartphone.
At the outset, the multinational conglomerate company initially called back the faulty Galaxy Note 7 units to be replaced with Note S7. However, due to similar battery issues, the replacement units were also recalled later. Samsung Electronics discontinued making and selling its series 7 smartphones two months after its market launch.
Vocabulary:
lawsuit – legal action
affirm – state as fact
plaintiff – complainant
multinational – a company operating in several countries
fire-prone – likely to catch fire
True or False:
- Samsung Electronics is a North Korean company that manufactures cellphones, gadgets and other devices.
- South Korean Galaxy Note S7 users filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics.
- Another plaintiff affirmed he dived for eight hours round-trip to return his fire-prone smartphone.
- For those looking into upgrading their smartphone to Galaxy S8 or Note 8 next year will get 50 percent discount once they hand over their series 7 smartphone.
- The company initially called back the faulty Galaxy Note 7 units to be replaced with Note S7.
Defend your argument:
- What would be your demand to a company if the product you purchased from them started blazing on its own?
- Is it healthy for a business to have such terrible incidents? Expound your answer?
- Is the option offered by Samsung justify he failure of their products?
- With smartphones overheating, is it still safe for students and children to carry these gadgets at school?
Express your opinion:
- If you were to create your own smartphone, what kind of smartphone would you make? Describe its main features.
- How do you take care of your gadgets?
- Share your thoughts about this quote: “Accidents are not accidents but precise arrivals at the wrong right time.” – Dejan Stojanovic