Can I get a free replacement Samsung S4 battery?

[RebeccaMcCarthy]

Hi, For the past few weeks my phone keeps turning itself off and won't come back on until I plug it in with the charger. So I took the battery out and noticed that it's really swollen and gets very hot when it's charging. I've only had it since February so it's not had alot of wear and tear. I never let it run down and always unplug it as soon as it has enough charge. I've heard that Samsung have had problems with some of their batteries. Would I be able to get a free replacement battery from Vodafone?

[froggerty]

This battery issue may be a bit of a grey area as it may be considered by both the manufacturer and the retailer as a 'consumable' which, as said, often does not carry the same level of guarantee or warantee as the device it powers but having said that it should still last for 'a reasonable amount of time' and be 'fit for purpose'. We know that there has been and are issues with batteries overheating and this could be and probably is a generic fault in which case, if the manufacturer recognises and accepts that it is such then it should be replaced with a new battery free of charge. Keep badgering your local Vodafone store to supply you a replacement and also contact Samsung and see if they will supply one, you can but try.