AKIPRESS.COM - Samsung is expected to announce a global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after an internal investigation into reports of batteries catching fire, according to reports, Guardian reports.

Samsung refused to comment on the claims, made on Friday by South Korea’s Yonhap News and in the Korea Herald, but confirmed it was conducting the inspection with its partners.

“We will share the findings as soon as possible. Samsung is fully committed to providing the highest quality products to our consumers,” the company said in a statement.

Samsung is due to hold a news conference later on Friday about the findings of its investigation and plans for the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung launched the Note 7 at the end of August in some markets, including South Korea and the US. Shipments were delayed in South Korea this week for extra quality control testing after reports that the batteries of some of the jumbo smartphones exploded while they were being charged.

Samsung’s stock plunged by about $7bn over Wednesday and Thursday, barely a week after the phones launched to critical acclaim and the company’s market value reached a record high. The tests follow multiple reports from customers, some posted in online videos and images, of phones that caught fire or exploded while charging. In one video posted earlier this week, a YouTube user named Ariel Gonzalez showed off his phone, its screen charred and partially melted.