Samsung Is About To Kill The Galaxy Note 7

Samsung just can’t seem to avoid Galaxy Note 7 woes. Back in September, Samsung issued a voluntary recall on the Galaxy Note 7 amidst fire hazard concerns. Today, Samsung has announced they will be rolling out an update to Galaxy Note 7 devices that will essentially render it useless unless. The update is expected to start rolling out around December 19th, and will prevent Note 7 phones from being able to charge. This is the definitive death-blow to the Note 7, and if there are any of you still hanging on to one now is the time to ditch it.

Samsung confirmed today that they will be working with their carrier partners to get the update out within 30 days. While most seem to be on board, Verizon has responded, announcing they will not roll the update out to Verizon Note 7s. They are instead, encouraging customers to bring their devices in and exchange them before it gets to that point. 

Note7 Charging Restrictions

Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices returned.

To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th that will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note 7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.

If you have not yet returned your device, you should immediately power it down and contact your carrier to obtain a refund or exchange.

Verizon had this to say in response:

Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note 7 users that do not have another device to switch to. We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.

I do happen to agree with Verizon’s stance on this matter, however it may still be a case of too little too late. Most devices have already been recovered, and there’s only about 7% of the US sold Note 7s still in rotation.

Terrible situation for what would’ve been a great phone for Samsung. We here at Nerd News do suggest taking your phone in to wherever your purchase was made and exchanging the device.

Put an end to this madness, will you?