14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung has just announced that the refund and exchange program in the United States has been pretty effective and that nearly 85% of the Galaxy Note 7 units in the country have already been returned.
The rest of the 15% of Galaxy Note 7 owners will have a hard time continuing to use their smartphones since Samsung plans to release a software update that limits the battery charge to 60%.
“As of today, nearly 85 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices have been replaced through the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program, with the majority of the participants opting to receive another Samsung smartphone,” reads Samsung's statement.
Despite Samsung warnings that Galaxy Note 7 owners should return their smartphones as soon as possible, many so-called “loyalists” have decided to keep using them.
“Any Galaxy Note7 owner who has not yet participated in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program should immediately power down their phone and contact their carrier or retailer today,” once again Samsung asks consumers.
However, as time goes by, Galaxy Note 7 owners will be gradually prevented from using some of the most important capabilities of the phone. The reduced battery charge amount is not the only ace up Samsung's sleeve.
The South Korean company has recently announced that Galaxy Note 7 owners in New Zealand won't be able to connect to any mobile networks in the country beginning November 18. Basically, this means that all Galaxy Note 7 owners in the country won't be able to make and take calls, or send messages for that matter.
After two global recalls, it looks like the Galaxy Note 7 returns to where it belongs: in the trash can. Hopefully, the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco will motivate Samsung to increase quality assurance processes before launching a new flagship smartphone. Fingers crossed for the upcoming Galaxy S8.