Samsung recently announced plans for a software update, which will disable Galaxy Note 7 handsets still in circulation and hinder their use. The update, which will be ready Dec. 19, according to Samsung, will render handsets unable to charge.
U.S. carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint are cooperating with Samsung, but have announced their own roll out dates for the end-of-life update. T-Mobile will deploy the software Dec. 27, AT&T will send its update Jan. 5, and Sprint will update Jan. 8, according to CNET. Sprint in particular stated it would delay the update until after the holidays. Regional carrier U.S. Cellular may begin deploying the disabling updating as early as Dec. 15.
Verizon is the only major U.S. carrier that has refused to roll out this kill switch update for the Galaxy Note 7, stating it won’t leave subscribers without mobile devices during the holiday season and in the event of emergencies.
All carriers are still urging users to power down and return their Galaxy Note 7 handsets for refund or exchange before this time.
Samsung permanently discontinued the Galaxy Note 7 on Oct. 10 after an initial recall, which took place in early September. Samsung was forced to take action after several handsets caught fire or exploded, many causing injury to people and property. Samsung is still conducting an internal investigation of the cause of the Galaxy Note 7 explosions; however, a third party recently concluded the device’s battery was placed in a space too small to support of a cell of its size safely.
At this time, Samsung reports approximately 93 percent of Galaxy Note 7 handsets purchased in the U.S. have been returned.
Carriers in New Zealand, Australia and Canada have already deployed updates to kill Galaxy Note 7 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality on their networks. Carriers in the U.K are expected to send out updates, which will cap the charging capacity of the Galaxy Note 7 at 30 percent.
