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Galaxy Note 7 finally goes on sale in Europe on October 28th
Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 was originally set to go on sale in Europe on September 2nd, but on that very day the launch was pulled and a global recall issued on account of their tendency to explode without warning. This made the regional recall process a little simpler for Samsung, given only those who had taken advantage of early delivery preorder promotions had devices in hand, but it also meant Europeans have never actually been able to straight-up buy -- battery defects aside -- Samsung's finest smartphone yet. That changes October 28th, however, when the Note 7 will finally go on general sale in the region "subject to full completion of the exchange programme." Though whether consumer confidence has been irreparably damaged already remains to be seen.
Recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7s can be charged to 80 percent (updated)
If you've failed to heed the warnings of Samsung and government regulators, it looks like you can now charge those recalled Note 7 batteries to 80 percent. The phones were recalled globally earlier this month following reports of exploding batteries, but the company issued an update that limited charges on the phone to 60 percent to avoid potential issues. That update only rolled out in Korea and didn't make it to the US.
The Engadget Podcast, Ep 7: Firestarter
Managing editor Dana Wollman, senior editor Nathan Ingraham and reviews editor Cherlynn Low join guest host Devindra Hardawar to discuss Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 recall, Uber's self-driving cars and why the heck Google is making another messaging app.
Samsung already exchanged half of recalled Galaxy Note 7s
A lot of Note 7 owners don't have to sleep with one eye open anymore, according to Samsung's latest press release. The company says it has already exchanged half of the Galaxy Note 7s sold in the US that had been turned in through its voluntary recall program. Further, 90 percent of the people who went in for the recall apparently asked for replacement Note 7s, which were released on September 21st, instead of getting another model. Samsung made sure those replacement devices are safe, but if you want to know if you really got one that won't blow up, check its battery indicator. The safe Note 7s have green battery indicators, though you might have to download a software update to change its hue.
Samsung's replacement Galaxy Note 7s will be in stores tomorrow
More than 500,000 replacement Galaxy Note 7 phones have landed in the United States and been shipped to stores across the country, meaning anyone in need of a non-explosive device can get one tomorrow, September 21st, just as Samsung planned. Samsung is also rolling out a software update to all affected Galaxy Note 7s prompting users to turn off and exchange their devices every time they're charged or powered on. An update released today additionally limits affected phones in Korea to a 60 percent charge.
Samsung shows how to identify safe Galaxy Note 7 models
Samsung has already hinted that there will be easy ways to determine whether or not the Galaxy Note 7 you have in your hand has a safe battery, but it's not leaving anything to chance. The company has posted a guide that shows you exactly what to look for if you're worried that someone gave you a dud. That green battery icon Samsung mentioned before? It'll be everywhere, whether it's in the status bar, the always-on display mode or the power-off screen. You can also look for a square symbol on the box label. These visual cues will likely be unnecessary before long, but it's good to have them in case someone tries to sell you one of the fire-prone models.
Samsung begins replacing Galaxy Note 7 handsets in the UK
Although Samsung acted quickly to stop the bulk of Galaxy Note 7s making their way to consumers before its recall in the UK, units were delivered before the official launch. Now that it's had to time to prepare, the company today kicked off its Galaxy Note 7 Exchange Programme, allowing those affected to swap their defective unit for a brand new one.
The FAA really doesn't want you flying with a Galaxy Note 7
Samsung is already laying out the steps for how and when it will have new Galaxy Note 7s available, but everyone else is still dealing with the now-recalled first batch. Eight days ago the FAA warned travelers against using or charging them in-flight, and today put some teeth behind that with a pair of advisories for airlines (PDF) and passengers (PDF). If you've flown lately, you've probably heard some level of warning against using a Galaxy Note 7 or, on some flights, even all Samsung mobile devices, and the FAA's Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) should provide more detail on what they're looking for.
Samsung exec explains 'facts' of the Galaxy Note 7 recall
As Samsung tries to navigate through its Galaxy Note 7 mess, an executive is speaking directly to customers. In a message posted tonight, Samsung America President & COO Tim Baxter puts a personal face to the recall, continuing Samsung's promise that new, less-volatile Galaxy Note 7s will be available "no later than September 21st." We'll see if the company is able to stick to that, but according to Baxter, an unnamed outside lithium battery expert affirmed Samsung's findings on the safety of battery cells in the new units.
Galaxy Note 7 replacements hit stores on September 21st
If you've turned in your Galaxy Note 7 (like you should!), you've probably been wondering when Samsung would start getting replacement devices out the door. Turns out you won't have to wait too long: the company just announced that "most retail locations" in the US will have the phone available on September 21st. This news comes as the US consumer safety group officially recalled the product, a move that Samsung already made a few weeks earlier.
US consumer safety group recalls the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has officially recalled all Galaxy Note 7s purchased before September 15th, noting that their lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch fire. This follows a recall that Samsung itself implemented in early September. Shortly after this initial rollback, the CPSC published a statement urging anyone with a Galaxy Note 7 to power it down and stop charging it, and Samsung said it was working with the safety group on an official government recall.
New York: Don't use your Galaxy Note 7 on the subway
Samsung just can't catch a break. On top of aviation regulators and safety officials warning against using pre-recall versions of the Galaxy Note 7, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority now says that Note 7 owners are "urged" against using or charging their phone on buses and trains. You should turn it off before entering the station, the MTA says. This isn't a formal ban, but it's safe to say that you'll be a persona non grata if the Authority catches you using the fire-prone handset on the subway.
Samsung's Note 7 exploding battery 'fix' is a 60 percent limit
Samsung has a "quick fix" in the works for stubborn Galaxy Note 7 owners who don't want to return their devices, despite the global recall over batteries that might potentially explode. The company will roll out a software update on September 20th in South Korea that will limit the Note 7's battery to a 60 percent charge, which will hopefully prevent overheating, the AP reports.
Samsung loses $26 billion of market value after Note 7 recall
Samsung was having a great year, thanks to the S7 and S7 Edge, enticing investors to toss their money into the pool. Unfortunately, the rest of 2016 hasn't been going according to Samsung's forecast. The Korean chaebol has lost a whopping $26 billion (with a B) of its market value since it announced the Galaxy Note 7 recall, according to financial data provider Factset. Its shares apparently dropped 6.9 percent between the Korean Exchange's close on Friday (September 9th) and Monday, and its stock is currently priced at a bit above $1,300. That's the lowest it's been in months, although as you can see in the graph below the fold, the company has recovered a bit since yesterday.
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Stop using the Galaxy Note 7
While Samsung has already announced its own recall and replacement program for the Galaxy Note 7, following reports about the phone's potentially explosive batteries, it hasn't yet gone through the formal process with the US government. It looks like that's about to change soon, as Recode reports that Samsung is finally working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission around an official recall. There's no announcement just yet, but it should hopefully mean that Samsung is able to ensure a more thorough recall of the Note 7 than it can on its own.
FAA officially warns against using Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes
Samsung's slightly explosive new phone is drawing more critical attention, this time from the FAA. The government agency has apparently heard about the Galaxy Note 7 recall, and after some consideration issued a statement. The FAA "strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage." According to Gizmodo, the FAA will update its statement as more info becomes available, so even this might not be the end of things.
Australian airlines ban use of Samsung's Galaxy Note 7
Australian airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have told passengers not to power up or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on its planes. "We are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them in flight," Qantas told Reuters in a statement. The companies weren't ordered to do so by aviation authorities in the nation, but did so on their own accord in light of Samsung Australia's recall.
The iPhone 7 Plus vs. the competition: How even is the field?
The iPhone 7 Plus finally brings a dual camera to the iPhone line. But there are plenty of other big handsets out there with their own stellar features, including the LG's newly unveiled V20 and its Hi-Fi Quad DAC. Check out the table below to see how these two compare to phones like the Moto Z, which, like Apple's new lineup, ditched the headphone jack in favor of USB-C. We've even thrown in the Galaxy Note 7: Sure, it's been recalled but, before it started randomly exploding, the Note was one of our favorite devices this year.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall: how to replace your UK phone
It's only been five days since it confirmed the Galaxy Note 7 battery problem and issued a global recall for its highly-rated smartphone, but Samsung is moving quickly to limit the damage. A couple of days after it issued replacement instructions for US consumers, the company has kicked off the exchange process in the UK, confirming that the small number of customers who received their units before the official UK launch will have their devices replaced from September 19th.
Samsung explains how the US Galaxy Note 7 recall will work
It's been less than 24 hours since Samsung announced its worldwide recall of the Galaxy Note 7, and owners are probably wondering exactly what's next. The major US carriers have already provided information on what they will do for customers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon), and now Samsung is laying out its plans for direct support. If owners want to exchange for another Galaxy Note 7, they can do that as early as next week. Their other option is to exchange the device for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, plus replacement of any Note accessories and a refund of the price difference.
