Samsung Galaxy Note 7
The Samsung Galaxy Note. (Via Samsung)

It keeps getting worse for Samsung.

After issuing a global recall for its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone last month following 35 verified reports of explosions, now it seems that even replacement devices are malfunctioning.

WKYT reported about a Kentucky man who found his bedroom filled with smoke at 4 a.m. Tuesday because of his combusting replacement Note 7. After reportedly vomiting “black stuff,” he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute bronchitis.

Perhaps the worst part of the story is that Samsung inadvertently sent a text to the man that revealed internal communication. Here’s the text, via WKYT:

Just now got this. I can try and slow him down if we think it will matter, or we just let him do what he keeps threatening to do and see if he does it

As The Verge notes, Samsung knew about this issue on Tuesday but did not inform customers.

There were two other separate cases this week of defective replacement Note 7 devices. One device started smoking on a Southwest Airlines flight, causing passengers to evacuate. Then a teenager in Minnesota said her replacement device melted in her hand.

The lack of Samsung’s communication with customers this week led The Next Web to state that “Samsung clearly doesn’t give a shit.” And here’s this from The Verge:

We don’t know why Samsung hasn’t been more forthcoming about what’s going on with these replacement devices, but it doesn’t really matter. Until we get more information, the simplest explanation is the best one: The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a fundamentally defective product and it should be pulled from the market without delay.

We’ve reached out to Samsung for comment and will update when we hear back.

What started as a huge problem for Samsung is only getting worse. Beyond consumer safety issues, the company’s brand is taking a beating. For example, per an official FAA warning, flight crews on airlines are telling passengers not to use the Note 7. It goes beyond that — I was sitting in an airport terminal last weekend and heard the warning over the intercom.

All U.S. carriers are letting customers exchange their replacement Note 7 devices.

This will certainly put a dent in Samsung’s overall Note 7 sales. That’s good news for Apple, which just released its iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, a direct competitor to the Note 7.

Update: Here’s a statement from Samsung:

“We are working diligently with authorities and third party experts and will share findings when we have completed the investigation. Even though there are a limited number of reports, we want to reassure customers that we are taking every report seriously. If we determine a product safety issue exists, Samsung will take immediate steps approved by the CPSC to resolve the situation.”

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.