Samsung reportedly seeking new battery supplier after Note 7 fiasco

Samsung Electronics has held talks with LG Chem about becoming a battery supplier for its smartphones, according to reports from South Korean media on Monday.

The world's biggest smartphone maker suffered a torrid time attempting to resolve a problem with batteries in its flagship Galaxy Note 7 device. After an initial global recall which saw millions of phones being replaced at Samsung's expense, it was announced in October that production of the Note 7 would be permanently halted.

A deal with LG Chem, Korea's largest chemicals company, would be an attempt to diversify its battery suppliers, with current contracts being operated by Samsung SDI and Amperex Technology in China.

A report in South Korea's Chosun Ilbo referred to a source from the tech industry which suggested that there was a 90% chance that a deal will be completed over the coming days.

Samsung has said little about its batteries since the announcement of the end of the Note 7, as the company attempts to win back trust from consumers.

LG's battery manufacturing division already supply batteries for a number of smartphone and tablet manufacturers, including LG's own devices and Apple for the iPhone and iPad products.

If a deal were to be signed soon, Samsung phones could carry LG batteries as soon as the second half of next year. Neither Samsung or LG have yet made an official comment on the deal.