2016.10.2700:12:00UTC+00Galaxy Note 7 Failure Weighs on Samsung’s Third-Quarter Profit

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. reported a net profit drop of 16.8% to 4.54 trillion Korean won or $4.0 billion during the third quarter, as the problematic recall and discontinuation of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone trimmed the tech firm's mobile earnings to its lowest level in almost eight years.

Samsung's mobile operating profit sank 96% from a year prior to 100 billion won after the Galaxy Note 7 was pulled from the market due to reported incidents of overheating. The company initiated a global recall on September 2 to replace the units, but decided to scrap the smartphone altogether on October 11 as reports that Note 7 are still fire-prone surfaced.

Total operating profit for the third quarter plunged 30% to 5.2 trillion won, a steep decline from almost 7.4 trillion won a year prior. Meanwhile, revenue declined 7.5% to 47.82 trillion won. The South-Korean company had initially projected a 7.8 trillion won profit but trimmed its guidance, adjusting the figures to reflect the losses sustained from the withdrawal of the Note 7.