SAMSUNG’S representative apologized to a Shenzhen resident in court Monday when the company was sued over its faulty Galaxy Note7 smartphones, according to a local TV news report.

    The resident, surnamed Zhou, was the first person in Shenzhen to buy a Samsung Note7 phone last year, for 11,977 yuan (US$1,740).

    But after the company announced a worldwide recall of Galaxy Note7 smartphones due to reports of battery fires and explosions, Zhou was the first person in Shenzhen to sue Samsung over the quality problems of its Note7 smartphones.

    The case was heard at Futian District People’s Court on Monday. Samsung’s representative apologized to Zhou and the judge during the hearing and acknowledged the quality problems of Note7 phones.

    According to the court’s ruling, the company will return the 11,977 yuan to Zhou and compensate him 35,931 yuan. Zhou said that he plans to donate all of the money he receives to a Hope Primary School.

    The company also promised to invite Zhou to relevant events when the company makes donations to Hope Primary Schools in the future as a way to show that they appreciate Zhou’s kindness.

    (Zhang Yang)