TCL unit recalls handsets over design flaws

The smartphone subsidiary of Chinese electronics giant TCL Corp is recalling devices believed to have design flaws, the first recall in the world's largest mobile market where more than 400 million handsets are sold each year.

MMD Communications, a maker of low-end Android phones and owned by TCL, said it is asking buyers to send back 28,000 handsets that are missing a critical profile and may cause overheating and signal instability.

The troubled device, named MMD 3S, was selling at 799 yuan ($131) and was released last month. MMD did not disclose shipments of the handset. The company said only one batch of the devices have the problems and the rest of its products meet industry standards. Buyers can either ask for a new device or a refund before August 3.