Verizon Wireless today said it will not brick its customers’ phones during the holiday season.
Samsung this morning said it will update remaining Note7s over the next few weeks and kill the phone’s ability to charge. Samsung believes this will coax remaining owners to return or exchange the device. Verizon disagrees with this strategy.
“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. 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. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.”
Verizon says most of its Note7 customers have already returned the device. The carrier reiterates that any Note7s still in the wild need to be exchanged as soon as practical. The Note7 is subject to overheating and causing fires. The device was recalled and cancelled by Samsung.
