Samsung, through a software update, will soon limit the charging capabilities of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in the United States in a bid to get owners of the remaining units out in the wild to replace the device.
Despite the potential fire risk presented by the Galaxy Note 7 due to defective batteries, some users have stubbornly decided to hold on to the smartphone despite the ongoing worldwide recall program for the device.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Software Update
Last week, Samsung announced that it is releasing a software update in Europe that will limit the battery of the smartphone from being charged beyond 60 percent. The move comes as part of the effort to get Galaxy Note 7 owners to have the smartphone finally replaced.
Samsung is now doing the same thing in the United States, as the company announced through a press release.
"We remain focused on collecting the outstanding Galaxy Note 7 phones in the market," Samsung stated, adding that the battery charging limit will be released in the coming days.
In addition to the battery limitation, the software update will also add reminder pop-up notifications to the smartphone which will appear whenever the owner charges, restarts or turns on the screen of the Galaxy Note 7.
Galaxy Note 7 Recall In The United States
Samsung said that almost 85 percent of all the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in the United States have been exchanged under the ongoing recall program, with most customers choosing to replace the device with another one by Samsung.
The company then reiterated their call for all customers who are still using the Galaxy Note 7 to power down the device and reach out to their retailer or carrier immediately to have the smartphone exchanged.
The Galaxy Note 7 was recalled due to cases of exploding batteries, and while the units still out in the wild have presumably functioned without any problems, there is no certainty that they will never catch fire.
Solving The Galaxy Note 7 Issue
To keep customers, and the people around them, safe from potential explosions, Samsung has taken more drastic measures beyond the recall program and limiting the charging capabilities of the device. In New Zealand, Samsung has teamed up with carriers to disconnect the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in the country from wireless networks.
Samsung has not yet gone that far with carriers in the United States, but if customers continue to be stubborn, the company may be forced to implement such an action in the country.
Samsung saw its operating profit in the third quarter sink to the lowest level over the past two years due to the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. The company, however, promised that it looks to quickly recover from the debacle, with Samsung looking forward to its next flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8, to try to restore its reputation and win back the trust of customers.
