AKIPRESS.COM - Samsung Australia is voluntarily recalling over 50,000 of its Galaxy Note7 smartphones after discovering the batteries of some phones exploded while they were charging, ABC reports.

The high-end gadget was launched just weeks ago, but users have complained that a battery fault has caused some phones to explode or catch fire while plugged in.

Last week, Samsung halted all sales of the phone and it was removed from the shelves of some of Australia's biggest phone retailers, including JB Hi-Fi, Optus and Telstra.

Samsung's vice president of IT and mobile Richard Fink, said replacement courtesy devices would be available from Samsung tomorrow morning.

Alternatively, customers will also be able to ask for a full refund.

"For safety reasons, Galaxy Note 7 customers should power off their smartphones and return them to their original place of purchase or contact us at Samsung Australia for a resolution," Mr Fink said.

In a statement posted on the company's website, Samsung said it was investigating a small number of reported incidents.

Last week the company said it had found 35 cases of problems with the smartphone.

"Based on our investigation, we have learned that there was an issue within the battery cell. An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact, which is a very rare manufacturing process error," the online statement said.