• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

DOJ is turning to an ancient body of law to capture Iranian oil tankers. It’s been so long since the U.S. used it, 'we’d have to conduct a séance'

2

IBM’s CEO disagrees with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s disdain for texting in meetings: ‘Telling people they can't use their technology would be weird’

3

Tech billionaires and executives like Evan Spiegel and Peter Thiel are publicly shielding their children from the products that made them rich

1

DOJ is turning to an ancient body of law to capture Iranian oil tankers. It’s been so long since the U.S. used it, 'we’d have to conduct a séance'

2

IBM’s CEO disagrees with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s disdain for texting in meetings: ‘Telling people they can't use their technology would be weird’

3

Tech billionaires and executives like Evan Spiegel and Peter Thiel are publicly shielding their children from the products that made them rich
TechThe Mobile Executive

Here’s How Samsung Will Disable Unreturned Galaxy Note 7 Devices

By
Aaron Pressman
Aaron Pressman
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Aaron Pressman
Aaron Pressman
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 9, 2016, 11:19 AM ET
Samsung Halting Note 7
This Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, photo shows a damaged Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on a table in Richmond, Va., after it caught fire earlier in the day. Samsung Electronics said Tuesday, Oct. 11, that it is discontinuing production of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones permanently, a day after stopping global sales of the ill-fated devices. (Shawn L. Minter via AP)Photograph by Shawn L. Minter — AP
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Samsung said on Friday it would be giving any remaining Galaxy Note 7 owners an early Christmas un-present. Although 93% of U.S. owners have returned their phones, which have dangerously unstable batteries, Samsung wants to prompt the reluctant minority to abandon their devices as well.

Starting on December 19, Samsung will issue software updates to all remaining Note 7 devices that will render them incapable of recharging and eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.

“Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note 7 refund and exchange program so far,” Samsung said in a statement. The new software update is to “further increase participation.”

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

However, Verizon, the largest wireless carrier, said it did not plan to send the update to its customers. “Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note7 users that do not have another device to switch to,” the company said in a statement. “We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.”

T-Mobile, the third-largest carrier, said it would roll out the update on December 27. 

Anyone who bought a Note 7, which has a 5.7- inch screen and comes with a stylus, can return the device to the store or carrier where they bought it and exchange it for a different model or get a refund. Samsung is offering a $100 bill credit to customers who exchange a Note 7 for another Samsung smartphone. Customers who want a refund or opt for another brand qualify for a $25 credit.

The Note 7 went on sale in August but was quickly beset by reports of batteries smoking and catching fire. On September 2, Samsung said it was voluntarily recalling 2.5 million of the devices that had been shipped up to that point. Two weeks later, the Consumer Product Safety Commission formally issued a recall for 1 million Note 7 phones sold in the United States. And after battery problems cropped up even in some of replacement Note 7 devices, Samsung said on October 11 it was killing off the entire product

Last month, the company took out full page ads in many newspapers to apologize for the incident. “An important tenet of our mission is to offer best-in-class safety and quality,” Gregory Lee, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America, wrote. “Recently, we fell short on this promise. For this we are truly sorry.”

(Update: Added T-Mobile and Verizon statements on Dec.9, 2016)

About the Author
By Aaron Pressman
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Tech


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.