Samsung Stops Galaxy Note 7 Sales After Battery Explosions

SEOUL, South Korea (CBSNewYorkAP) -- Samsung says it is suspending sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after finding batteries of some of the gadgets exploded while they were charging.

Koh Dong-jin, president of Samsung's mobile business, said Friday that customers who already bought Note 7s will be able to swap them for new smartphones, regardless of the purchasing date.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Samsung launched its latest flagship smartphone.

Some buyers reported their phones caught fire or exploded while charging, and Samsung said it had confirmed 35 such cases globally, caused by faulty batteries.

"We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers," the company said in a statement on its website. "We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible."

Samsung said it has sold more than 1 million Note 7 smartphones since the product's launch.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)