Samsung is already selling 'new' non-exploding Galaxy Note 7s

Samsung is selling "new" versions of its Galaxy Note 7, just three weeks after a worldwide recall following multiple reports of fires and explosions causing injuries and damage to property.

The company is including software on the new versions to let users know they've got a safe model: a green battery icon on the status bar, the always-on display screen and the shut-down screen. The new Note 7's packaging should also display a black box in the top right corner of the bottom label and for real peace of mind customers can check their phone's IMEI number on this online checker.

Samsung says it doesn't have enough stock of the new Galaxy Note 7s to meet demand from those replacing faulty versions, yet two American carriers, Verizon and Sprint are listing the new phones as in-stock.

On Verizon's website the carrier makes it very clear that what it is selling is new stock of the Galaxy Note 7. "Available now the new Galaxy Note 7. The Galaxy Note 7 was previously recalled on September 9th by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to an issue with the device's battery. This new Galaxy Note 7 has been approved by the CPSC for all purchases and exchanges," a note on the website says.

Sprint does not mention anything about the recalled Galaxy Note 7 models on its listing. However, when asked, a member of Sprint's sales support staff confirmed it was selling a "new" version of the phone, adding: "Samsung had made some rectifications in the battery of this phone and released this phone again in market."

Sprint says that delivery times for the new Galaxy Note 7 is the regular 2-5 business days while Verizon says the phone "is currently in stock and not on back order" meaning it is available to order with free two day shipping.

This appears at odds with Samsung's official statement on Tuesday where the company admitted that while it had started replacing the faulty phones with updated models, it only had 500,000 in stock for US replacements, which is just 50 percent of the 1 million units it sold in the US before sales were halted.

Samsung has not said when the rest of the replacement stock will be available. Globally Samsung estimates that it has to replace some 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices.