Note 7 glitches offer a glimpse of Samsung Electronics' next leader

Hong Kong

THE Note 7 fires offer a glimpse of Samsung Electronics' next leader. Exploding batteries have forced the US$230 billion tech giant to recall its latest smartphone. The fiasco might not leave much of a financial mark but it gives outsiders a valuable opportunity to assess heir apparent Jay Y Lee, who is trying to assert his authority on the wider Korean conglomerate.

The world's top smartphone maker is moving fast and hard to control the damage after a small number of reports that the premium Galaxy Note 7's batteries were bursting into flames while on charge.