Samsung has urged owners of the Galaxy Note 7 to turn off its high-end smartphone while it investigates new reports of the device catching fire.

The South Korean tech giant also said it would stop all sales of the phone.

The company recalled 2.5 million phones in September after complaints of exploding batteries, and later insisted that all replaced devices were safe.

However, there are now reports that even those phones were catching fire.

A man in Kentucky said he woke up to a bedroom full of smoke from a replaced Note 7, days after a domestic flight in the US was evacuated after a new device started emitting smoke in the cabin.

Photo Samsung

Samsung said: “Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note 7 while the investigation is taking place.

“Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note 7 or replacement Galaxy Note 7 device should power down and stop using the device and take advantage of the remedies available.”

On October 10, a Samsung spokeswoman insisted the phones were safe to use.

South Korean media reports suggest Samsung is likely to stop selling the phone permanently.

However, South Korea’s finance minister has warned that the country’s exports would be hurt if the Note 7 model is scrapped altogether.

“Right now we can’t tell what the impact will be in the long term. It’s up to the company and the government cannot interfere,” said Yoo Il-ho.

“But if they do scrap the model, it will have a negative impact on exports.”

The US consumer protection agency has also urged people not to use their Samsung replacement devices.

“No one should have to be concerned their phone will endanger them, their family or their property,” Elliot Kaye, chairman of the safety commission, said.

He called Samsung’s decision to stop distributing the device “the right move” in light of “ongoing safety concerns”.

On October 11, the South Korean transport ministry said people should not use or charge their Galaxy Note 7 devices on a plane.

The original Galaxy Note 7 had already been banned by numerous aviation authorities and airlines around the world.