Post by Admin on Oct 11, 2016 7:31:27 GMT -9
Still Have a Galaxy Note 7? Here’s What to Do
Samsung is discontinuing the troubled smartphone, and is urging everyone to stop using it immediately
By NATHAN OLIVAREZ-GILES
Oct. 11, 2016 11:16 a.m. ET
If you are using a Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, Samsung Electronics Co. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ask that you turn off the phone and stop using it immediately. If you’re feeling frustrated and bewildered, you’re not alone, but here’s more info that can help.
What’s the latest news?
On Tuesday, Samsung discontinued the Galaxy Note 7, having asked cellular carriers world-wide to halt sales. It would no longer replace recalled models with identical new ones. Many carriers had ceased carrying the phone on their own, after offering multiple replacements for the troubled handsets.
If you own a Galaxy Note 7—whether it is a recalled or a replacement device—you really have to take it back and get something else. Many phones were labeled “safe” because they weren’t part of the initial batch of known duds, but since many replacements were reported overheating, smoking and catching fire, all Note 7s are now considered potential hazards.
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Why was the Note 7 recalled in the first place?
After dozens of reports of issues, Samsung initially decided on Sept. 1 to stop selling the Galaxy Note 7 and recall all the 2.5 million phones that had been sold to that point. At the time, the company pledged to replace the recalled phones with new Galaxy Note 7s, if owners held out for them. Shortly thereafter, the CPSC got involved, and formally recalled the roughly 1 million Note 7s in the U.S.
Following a shortage of replacement devices, sales resumed, but the continued incidents meant not only a renewed halt in sales, but Samsung’s ultimate decision to kill off the phone.
Is it safe to use my Note 7?
No. It isn’t known how many Galaxy Note 7 devices could overheat or catch fire, but this warning is something to take seriously. Using the phone could put you and those around you at risk.
Are other Samsung phones causing problems?
All of the recalls and consumer warnings concern only the Note 7. It is still generally considered safe to use the slightly smaller Galaxy S7 Edge, or the standard Galaxy S7. If you like Samsung, either of those could be a pretty attractive replacement.
What if I bought my Note 7 from a carrier?
Every major U.S. carrier— AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon—will settle up with any of their customers who bought a Galaxy Note 7. This can be in the form of a refund or an exchange. There are no restocking fees, and any Note 7-specific accessories can be returned for a full refund as well.
If your new phone costs less than the Note 7, you’ll get a refund for the difference. However, if you choose a more expensive phone (which is hard to find, given Note 7’s high price), you’ll of course have to pay the balance.
Even if you purchased your phone from a carrier’s website, you can get your refund or exchange in-store if you prefer. Some carriers are issuing $25 credits for people who stick with Samsung phones in the exchange. T-Mobile says it will give a $25 credit to people who exchange their Galaxy Note 7 for any phone.
What if I bought my Note 7 online or at a big-box store?
If you ordered your phone online from a retailer like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target or any other with a physical store, take your device into that store for an exchange. (In the rare case you bought your device from a retailer with no brick-and-mortar stores, reach out to that website’s customer service.)
What phone should I get instead?
Whatever you do, don’t get another Galaxy Note 7. We’ve seen them still for sale on eBay and other secondhand retailers, but resist the urge—even if the vendor lists them as “safe.” If you like the Note 7’s look and feel, take a peek at the S7 and S7 Edge. They’re the phones most similar to the Note 7, and are even a bit cheaper. The biggest difference? No stylus. For that, you may want to look into last year’s model, the Galaxy Note 5. (There is no Note 6.)
If this has been enough to drive you away from Samsung (but not enough to make you an Apple fan), there are plenty of Android phones to consider from LG and Motorola and even upstarts like OnePlus and NextBit.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google recently launched its own promising-looking phones. But the Pixel and the larger Pixel XL don’t ship until Oct. 20—that could be a long time using a condemned handset.
Of course, the new Apple iPhone 7 is worth considering, with a fantastic camera and great battery life. And like the Galaxy Note 7, it is water-resistant, too. However, you may not get that one soon, either: The current wait for the larger iPhone 7 Plus stretches well into November.
Samsung is discontinuing the troubled smartphone, and is urging everyone to stop using it immediately
By NATHAN OLIVAREZ-GILES
Oct. 11, 2016 11:16 a.m. ET
If you are using a Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, Samsung Electronics Co. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ask that you turn off the phone and stop using it immediately. If you’re feeling frustrated and bewildered, you’re not alone, but here’s more info that can help.
What’s the latest news?
On Tuesday, Samsung discontinued the Galaxy Note 7, having asked cellular carriers world-wide to halt sales. It would no longer replace recalled models with identical new ones. Many carriers had ceased carrying the phone on their own, after offering multiple replacements for the troubled handsets.
If you own a Galaxy Note 7—whether it is a recalled or a replacement device—you really have to take it back and get something else. Many phones were labeled “safe” because they weren’t part of the initial batch of known duds, but since many replacements were reported overheating, smoking and catching fire, all Note 7s are now considered potential hazards.
The Best Way to Bring Virtual Reality Home
Sony PlayStation VR review: Geoffrey A. Fowler calls it the best way to bring virtual reality home.
CLICK TO READ REVIEW
PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY
Why was the Note 7 recalled in the first place?
After dozens of reports of issues, Samsung initially decided on Sept. 1 to stop selling the Galaxy Note 7 and recall all the 2.5 million phones that had been sold to that point. At the time, the company pledged to replace the recalled phones with new Galaxy Note 7s, if owners held out for them. Shortly thereafter, the CPSC got involved, and formally recalled the roughly 1 million Note 7s in the U.S.
Following a shortage of replacement devices, sales resumed, but the continued incidents meant not only a renewed halt in sales, but Samsung’s ultimate decision to kill off the phone.
Is it safe to use my Note 7?
No. It isn’t known how many Galaxy Note 7 devices could overheat or catch fire, but this warning is something to take seriously. Using the phone could put you and those around you at risk.
Are other Samsung phones causing problems?
All of the recalls and consumer warnings concern only the Note 7. It is still generally considered safe to use the slightly smaller Galaxy S7 Edge, or the standard Galaxy S7. If you like Samsung, either of those could be a pretty attractive replacement.
What if I bought my Note 7 from a carrier?
Every major U.S. carrier— AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon—will settle up with any of their customers who bought a Galaxy Note 7. This can be in the form of a refund or an exchange. There are no restocking fees, and any Note 7-specific accessories can be returned for a full refund as well.
If your new phone costs less than the Note 7, you’ll get a refund for the difference. However, if you choose a more expensive phone (which is hard to find, given Note 7’s high price), you’ll of course have to pay the balance.
Even if you purchased your phone from a carrier’s website, you can get your refund or exchange in-store if you prefer. Some carriers are issuing $25 credits for people who stick with Samsung phones in the exchange. T-Mobile says it will give a $25 credit to people who exchange their Galaxy Note 7 for any phone.
What if I bought my Note 7 online or at a big-box store?
If you ordered your phone online from a retailer like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target or any other with a physical store, take your device into that store for an exchange. (In the rare case you bought your device from a retailer with no brick-and-mortar stores, reach out to that website’s customer service.)
What phone should I get instead?
Whatever you do, don’t get another Galaxy Note 7. We’ve seen them still for sale on eBay and other secondhand retailers, but resist the urge—even if the vendor lists them as “safe.” If you like the Note 7’s look and feel, take a peek at the S7 and S7 Edge. They’re the phones most similar to the Note 7, and are even a bit cheaper. The biggest difference? No stylus. For that, you may want to look into last year’s model, the Galaxy Note 5. (There is no Note 6.)
If this has been enough to drive you away from Samsung (but not enough to make you an Apple fan), there are plenty of Android phones to consider from LG and Motorola and even upstarts like OnePlus and NextBit.
Alphabet Inc.’s Google recently launched its own promising-looking phones. But the Pixel and the larger Pixel XL don’t ship until Oct. 20—that could be a long time using a condemned handset.
Of course, the new Apple iPhone 7 is worth considering, with a fantastic camera and great battery life. And like the Galaxy Note 7, it is water-resistant, too. However, you may not get that one soon, either: The current wait for the larger iPhone 7 Plus stretches well into November.