Owners say Galaxy S7s are suffering ‘boot loop’

Some users of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S7 smartphones are claiming their phones are suffering from boot loop - the phone continues to turn itself on and off - and other malfunctions after a recent upgrade to the operating system, according to industry sources Friday.

An online community was created Tuesday to report and discuss defects in the Galaxy S7. The community has over 130 members.

A 32-year-old Galaxy S7 user surnamed Han, who founded the community, claimed his phone started heating up and suffering from boot loop after an update to the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system in June, Yonhap News Agency reported. Han said he experienced no such problem before the upgrade.

Some other members reported that the phone’s main circuit board, which handles communications between crucial electronic components in the phone, broke down several days after the update.

Fixing the motherboard costs roughly 200,000 won ($180) at Samsung service centers, members of the community said. They argued that Samsung needs to offer explanations for the malfunctions and offer free repairs.

In the past, LG Electronics has offered free repairs after owners of its premium G4 and V10 smartphones complained about boot loops.

Industry sources say Samsung may have overlooked whether the new operating system was compatible with older models such as the Galaxy S7.

A spokesperson for the Korean electronics giant said they need to examine whether the update was the problem or if there were other factors.

Samsung is sensitive to malfunctions after its traumatic experience with Galaxy Note7s, which exploded due to battery problems and were eventually withdrawn from sale.

The online community members said they plan to file a petition with the Korea Consumer Agency if the company doesn’t take suitable measures.

BY KIM JEE-HEE [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]