Samsung apologizes, pledges free repairs

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd admitted that some of its Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note2 models in its earlier production batches are defective and promised to offer free repair services while also apologizing to affected consumers, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Wednesday.

The company said that the storage device firmware used in these models is the cause of the problems, according to a statement the company sent to CCTV.

Consumers who have paid for repairs could get a refund from the company, and if the handset is still faulty after being brought in for repairs twice, consumers can get a new device from the company, according to the report.

Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, is the latest multinational company to be singled out by Chinese State media for what it says are unfair consumer practices.

On Sunday, CCTV aired a program criticizing Starbucks Corp for charging higher prices in China than other markets.