90 Percent Of Galaxy Note 7 Handsets Have Been Collected From Overseas

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Samsung has collected 90% of the Galaxy Note 7 phones from other countries after it shipped 3.06 million smartphones around the world in August and September, according to Pulse. The Korean firm carried out an expensive recall program after widespread reports of exploding batteries in the Note 7.

Planning software update to push full recall

In a statement, the company mentioned that 90% of the customers in North America and Europe had returned their phones. The return ratio was less in Korea at around 80%.

In October, Samsung released a software update in which the Note 7’s charging ability was restricted to 60% to contain the battery exploding issue. This also encouraged customers to return their phones. However, not all have returned their phones, despite the risk of the Note 7 catching fire. Samsung will release more software updates to complete a full recall in cooperation with local authorities and mobile carriers.

To get the phones back from stubborn souls, the company is planning to restrict the charging to 30% in Europe and make the battery dysfunctional in the United States. The company presumably fears potential lawsuits more from the U.S. than from Europe.

The Korean firm is believed to be considering similar battery charge tactics for Canada and Australia. In New Zealand, mobile carriers have stopped providing any after-sale service for the phone, notes Pulse. Consumers are given the option to exchange the phone with another Samsung smartphone or get a refund.

Verizon not co-operating with Note 7 recall

Samsung sold about 1.9 million Note 7 handsets in the U.S. The latest move of rendering the battery dysfunctional is in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and in partnership with carriers and retailers.

“To further increase participation (in the recall), a software update will be released starting on December 19 that will prevent US Galaxy Note 7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices,” the Korean firm said in a statement.

Verizon, however, stated that it will not be able to cooperate with Samsung in disabling the Note 7 because it can mean another risk for users who do not have any other device to switch to. In a statement, the mobile carrier stated that it does not want to make it impossible for users to contact families, first responders or medical professionals.

Citing a source close to Samsung, Fox 59 said that those who still hold a Note 7 will continue to see software update notifications until they trade their phones in.

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