Samsung Australia halts Galaxy Note7 replacements

Telstra has delayed its replacement Galaxy Note7 smartphones to Australia while Samsung investigates "reported incidents".

A Telstra spokesperson confirmed the delay to CRN advising that shipments of the replacement devices were "temporarily paused".

"We have asked Samsung to provide us with an update on their investigations as a matter of priority and will update our customers as soon as we learn more," a Telstra spokesperson said.

"In the meantime we are helping customers with loan phones and for those who do not wish to wait for the exchange program a change-over to an alternative smartphone."

Samsung Australia officially recalled the devices on 5 September following a spate of worldwide reports that batteries were overheating, causing the smartphones to catch fire.

However, reports have begun to emerge that the replacement devices are also at risk of the same issue. The Verge reported three separate cases of the Galaxy Note7 catching fire last week.

Samsung has been contacted for comment.