Samsung will effectively kill the Galaxy Note 7 with a lethal software update


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It’ll be a lethal software update that finally puts the Galaxy Note 7 in the rear view mirror for Samsung, at least in the United States.

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An announcement released on December 19 reveals Samsung will be rolling out a software update on December 19 in the U.S. to render the Galaxy Note 7 useless. This is because of the Galaxy Note 7 scandal in which devices were experiencing battery explosions.

Here’s the explanation from Samsung:

“To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th and will be distributed within 30 days. This software update will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices. Together with our carrier partners, we will be notifying consumers through multiple touchpoints to encourage any remaining Galaxy Note7 owners to participate in the program and to take advantage of the financial incentives available.”

It’ll be on carriers and their participation to get this software update out to customers, but not everyone is backing Samsung’s decision.

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Shortly after the announcement of the lethal software update, a Verizon spokesperson proclaimed that Big Red has no plans to disable any Galaxy Note 7s on its network. Verizon says it doesn’t want to leave customers without a device to switch to, especially during the holidays. So the carrier’s alternative is to stop using the the Galaxy Note 7 and receive a bill credit for another device.

The other three major U.S. carriers, however, have agreed to implement the software update. T-Mobile is first to deactivate its Galaxy Note 7, choosing to do so on December 27. Following is AT&T on January 5 and Sprint on January 8.

Since providing an update last month, Samsung says more than 93% of the Galaxy Note 7s sold in the U.S. have been returned.

Source: Samsung, Verizon, Sprint

About the Author: Justin Herrick

Born and raised in New Jersey, Justin is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University where he studied marketing with a focus on digital marketing. He's very talkative and enjoys discussing anything from technology and sports to video games and television. As for Justin's current device rotation, he carries around the Google Pixel and Nexus 9. In the rare case that his phone or tablet is not in his hand, he is either flicking through cards on his Moto 360 (2015) or typing away on the Microsoft Surface Book. Justin is patiently waiting for the day that Google replicates the Galaxy Nexus with modern day specifications.

  • K V

    except you can disable updates

  • Paladin

    It should be an OTA directly from Samsung. The carriers shouldn’t be involved at all. Another big fail for Samsung. Users should have no choice in the matter. It should be a forced update that you can’t disable.

    • Justin_Herrick

      Completely agree. Samsung should have full authority to do this without any blockage from the carriers.