Samsung will publish a final report into the Galaxy Note 7 debacle before the end of the year, according to The Korea Herald.

The paper said the South Korean giant started a new investigation earlier this year, working with the authorities in both its home market and the US. It was noted that while the batteries are considered the ignition point for a series of fires involving devices, “diverse factors” could ultimately be responsible.

In an open letter to a number of US newspapers earlier this month, Samsung said the process “will be thorough and include some of the best independent technical experts in the world to help inform and validate our work”.

Initially, it appeared a bad batch of batteries from another Samsung unit (Samsung SDI) was at the root of the issue, leading to a replacement campaign. But when more devices were found to be affected, a full recall was issued.

With Samsung working to bring Galaxy Note 7 to market ahead of Apple’s annual iPhone refresh, it was suggested that accelerated product development cycles had taken their toll on testing. Other technologies, such as wireless charging and fast charging, are also relatively immature.

It has been mooted that Samsung will offer re-conditioned devices for sale once it has tracked down the fault – and the company is sitting on millions of returned units. But with the Note 7 brand tarnished and bans still in place with many international airlines, the company may be better advised to move on.