Samsung to disable Galaxy Note 7 phones via software

By Barry Eitel

SAN FRANCISCO

Samsung will soon release a software update for its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in the U.S. that will prevent the devices’ batteries from charging, the company said Friday.

Several months ago, Samsung’s launch of the new smartphone model nearly instantly became an international fiasco after the batteries used in the Note 7 were prone to overheating and, in some cases, exploding. The phones were banned from aircraft in the U.S. and the federal government called for a recall.

Samsung immediately conducted a recall and sent replacement phones to owners across the globe but some users found the new phones had the same problem.

Samsung is currently in the midst of a massive recall of all Note 7 devices and the company claimed Friday that it had collected 93 percent of the phones sold in the U.S. through an exchange program.

For the remaining 7 percent, about 70,000 units, Samsung is taken the drastic step of disabling the devices via a software update. The update, which will launch Dec. 19, kills the phones’ ability to charge.

“This software update will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note 7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices,” Samsung said in a statement. “Together with our carrier partners, we will be notifying consumers through multiple touchpoints to encourage any remaining Galaxy Note7 owners to participate in the program and to take advantage of the financial incentives available.”

The intentional disabling of millions of new devices through a software update is unprecedented. The company is utilizing different strategies in different regions. In Europe, Samsung on Friday said an update would cap the Note 7’s battery at just 30 percent of its original capacity.

The plan has not been universally accepted -- wireless carrier Verizon said soon after Samsung’s announcement it would not push the update through to Verizon customers.

“Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note7 users that do not have another device to switch to,” the company said in a statement. “We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note 7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation,” it added.