The ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 is history now. The success of Galaxy S8 is proof that consumers have forgiven Samsung for the Note 7 debacle. However, Samsung is now sitting on a pile of nearly four million Note 7 units, which will reportedly be relaunched as Galaxy Note 7R or Note FE after fixing the battery issue. A new report coming out of Korea claims that Samsung continues to introspect months after the Note 7 debacle. The company is planning to release a detailed white paper on the entire episode, which would help it improve its future products including the upcoming Galaxy Note 8.
White paper to cover every aspect of the Galaxy Note 7
Citing Chosun Biz, The Investor reports that Samsung is planning to publish a white paper on the Galaxy Note 7 soon. An unnamed Samsung official told Chosun Biz that the white paper was aimed at informing the top management on the debacle and making sure that similar incidents don’t happen in the future. The executive did not reveal exactly when the white paper would be released.
People working on the white paper project include researchers as well as working-level officials at Samsung and its battery subsidiary Samsung SDI, which was one of the battery suppliers for the Galaxy Note 7. Executives from the risk management office have also joined the project. The risk management office was created last year after the Note 7 disaster to oversee the safety and quality issues.
The Samsung executive told Chosun Biz that the white paper would look into every aspect of the Note 7 recall including components, production, R&D, testing, marketing, and supply chain management. It is also said to include at least a few individual cases of Note 7 explosions for better analysis. Samsung has already published the initial report after investigating the Note 7 recall.
In its initial report, Samsung had blamed faulty batteries supplied by Samsung SDI and Amperex Technology for the debacle. Errors in the manufacturing process led to the batteries becoming too compressed and volatile for everyday use. Samsung had recalled the device twice before discontinuing it permanently.
The Investor reports that the white paper would be shared only with a limited number of top executives due to security reasons. It is unlikely to become available publicly, though there is always a chance of the report leaking out.
Galaxy Note FE coming out in June
Samsung is planning to release the refurbished Galaxy Note 7 in select markets. The refurbished phone is rumored to launch in June in limited quantities. Recent reports suggest that the refurbished handsets will be called Galaxy Note FE rather than Note 7R. Samsung wants to avoid the Note 7R moniker due to all the negative publicity around the Note 7.
The Galaxy Note FE is said to have the same features and specs as the Note 7, except for the battery. The original Note 7 packed a 3500mAh battery, but the refurbished version is expected to feature a 3200mAh battery. It will have a 12MP main camera, 5MP front shooter, a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, Exynos 8890 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. It is expected to cost 30-40% less than the original Note 7.
Galaxy Note 8 to be one of the safest phones
The highly anticipated Galaxy Note 8 is still a few months away, though the rumor mill has been churning out leaks about the device almost every day. Samsung implemented an eight-point battery safety program after the Note 7 debacle, and its battery suppliers have also stepped up safety measures. These initiatives ensured a smooth rollout for the Galaxy S8. We can expect the Galaxy Note 8 to be one of the safest smartphones.
The Galaxy Note 8 is rumored to look similar to the Galaxy S8, though there will be a few major changes. It will have the same Infinity display as the S8. However, unlike S8, the Galaxy Note 8 will have the fingerprint sensor embedded in the display. The current Galaxy S8 and S8+ have the fingerprint scanner on the back panel, next to the main camera.
Recently leaked images reveal that the Galaxy Note 8 will also feature a vertical dual camera system. The dual camera functionality for the Note 8 was first predicted by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The analyst believes the Note 8’s dual camera will be better than the iPhone 7 Plus. A leaked video posted on Twitter a few days ago showed that the upcoming phablet would sport a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display. Other features include 6GB RAM, a 3700mAh battery, Bixby AI assistant, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 and Samsung’s Exynos 8895 processors.
Galaxy Note 8 to launch in August?
Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Note 8 in August, if it sticks to its traditional Note release cycle. It is unclear whether the company would hold a separate event in New York or announce the device around the IFA trade show in Berlin. IFA executive director Jens Heithecker has already confirmed that Samsung would have the largest presence of all companies at this year’s trade show. Heithecker also believes that the IFA is the right place for Samsung to announce the Note 8.
