After two Galaxy Note 7 recalls, Samsung decided to deal with stubborn users who refused to ditch it by making the device useless, but Verizon won't have it.
Samsung essentially issued a death sentence for the Galaxy Note 7, with an upcoming update set to turn the smartphone into nothing more than a brick. The update would prevent the device from charging - at all - or interrupt carrier connectivity, so it would forcefully pull the Galaxy Note 7 from stubborn users' grip.
Verizon, however, refuses to take part in this murder and says it will not release the kill-switch update.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Kill Switch
In Canada, Samsung will interrupt Galaxy Note 7 carrier connectivity come Dec. 15, which means that users will no longer be able to connect to a mobile network to make calls, send texts or surf the web.
In the United States, Samsung confirmed that starting on Dec. 19, it will permanently disable remaining Galaxy Note 7 units by turning off the devices' ability to charge. This means that after that date, Galaxy Note 7 owners will be able to continue using their devices only until they run out of battery.
Verizon Says No, But Why?
Verizon, for its part, says that it will not participate in this scheme and will not be forcing its users to let go of their Galaxy Note 7.
As a reminder, the Galaxy Note 7 went through two recalls over exploding batteries, and Samsung pulled the device off the market altogether because there's the risk it would catch fire.
For Verizon, the risk of fire is second to the added risk of ending up with no smartphone, as users may not have a backup device. The carrier doesn't want to leave users without a device during the holidays, so it will not push the update to disable the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
"We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season," Verizon explains. "We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation."
Nevertheless, both Samsung and Verizon have informed remaining Galaxy Note 7 owners that they should immediately stop using the device and return or exchange it as soon as possible. Customers can return or exchange the Galaxy Note 7 where they purchased it. Verizon is no longer selling the Galaxy Note 7, and neither is any other carrier.
