Samsung, the world’s biggest smartphone maker, has urged users of the Galaxy Note 7 to turn them in, and has run advertisements in Korea apologizing for the recall.
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As it races to replace millions of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones around the world, Samsung has come up with a way to stop the devices from catching fire: update the software. But it appears that Samsung won’t just kill battery life on all Galaxy Note 7 units just yet.
The replacement units or newer devices which are expected to ship from 19 September will not impose the battery-charge limitation like the affected handsets.
When this Galaxy Note 7 update will be available in the U.S. is not clear.
Samsung did not answer emails and calls seeking comment on Tuesday.
A Samsung spokeswoman said similar safety measures for overseas users were under review.
“The process is different for each country because they have different regulations and we also have to talk with the carriers in those countries”, she said.
In an effort to steal a march on Apple, the Note 7 was given an early launch in the key United States market, making that a priority for the recall effort.
On Monday, about 100,000 new devices will be made available in stores, after which Samsung will supply an additional 50,000-60,000 replacement phablets each day, delivering all of them by September 25, the official said on the condition of anonymity.
Samsung announced a software update that will limit battery recharges to 60 percent of capacity in a half-page advert carried by major South Korean newspapers.
Keeping the battery level low could reduce the risk of overheating, but would be equivalent to getting a downgrade of a top-of-the-line phone, said Kim Young Woo, an analyst at SK Securities.
In South Korea, Samsung says it plans to start providing new “battery-problem-free” Note 7 phones to current owners on Monday.
Today’s newspaper ads also carried a message of “deep, honest apology” and a vow to retain the “love and trust” of Samsung consumers.
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Nomura has cut its profit forecast for Samsung’s mobile division in the third quarter by 900 billion won (RM3.3 billion) to 3.1 trillion won.
