14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung's recall of the Galaxy Note 7 impacted the market in a major way, but it seems that not many users are rushing to exchange their phones. Many reports have surfaced about Note 7 smartphones catching fire and even burning down property, like a Jeep, but a new report shows that people continue to use them.
Apteligent released a chart showing that many Note 7 owners continue to use their phones. Samsung released the Galaxy Note 7 on August 19 and the phone was positively received on the market, with some analysts claiming that demand could very well surpass supply in a brief period of time.
However, by August 31, the first reports of batteries catching fire surfaced. Two days later, Samsung decided to recall all 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 units sold until that point and stop sales. Retailers and carriers quickly halted sales of the smartphone for fear of other incidents being reported.
The usage rate of the Note 7 stayed about the same compared to the period before the recall
The chart released by Apteligent shows that the adoption rate abruptly halted after the recall was announced, and about the same time Samsung announced the exchange program. However, the usage rate of the Note 7 stayed almost the same as on the day the recall was made public.
Despite warnings from Samsung, the FCC and other authorities, people continue to use the smartphone. Samsung initiated an exchange program for the Note 7 and the first replacement units will start arriving in Canada very soon, with Europe to follow on September 19.
Users can get full refunds for their Note 7 or receive a replacement Galaxy J phone until the safe Note 7 arrives. It seems that Samsung will be rolling out an OTA update on September 20 in Korea, aimed at limiting the battery charge to 60% and thus avoid batteries from catching fire. In addition, Galaxy Note 7 TV ads will be on hold until the recall process ends and sales resume.