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What to Do With Your Samsung Galaxy Note 7

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On October 10th Samsung officially canceled the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. Just weeks after the company started offering replacement models as part of a global recall due to potential fire hazards. The Galaxy Note 7 can no longer be sold or replaced. With that in mind, here’s what owners need to know and do with their Galaxy Note 7.

For those unaware, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 has a faulty battery or component causing the device to fail. Phones have caught fire and even exploded, over 100 actually. From burning down a Jeep, evacuating a Southwest Airlines flight, burning a young girls hands and more. It’s a bad situation and Samsung has finally decided to put an end to everything.

Read: 5 Best Galaxy Note 7 Alternatives

After receiving glowing reviews and on track to be their most successful Galaxy Note smartphone in history, everything took a turn for the worst. Right now all carriers or retail stores are allowing for a full complete refund, and we have additional details below that all owners need to be aware of.

Note-7-back-1

Samsung has formally issued a “stop sale” on the Galaxy Note 7, and it looks like the device will never be made available again. The company is simply cutting their losses and moving on. All while trying to keep customers safe and offer as many remedies as possible.

If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 it needs to be powered down, do not use it, and returned for a full refund or for a different device. Those with a new replacement model acquired through the recall process need to return it as well. All Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are being removed from the global market.

There’s one problem though, most people don’t want to return it and many of them aren’t. A recent report confirms that in late September after the first recall a lot of devices were sold. Since then, usage has gone up and most owners aren’t returning them. The report suggests over 1 million are still being used. Samsung is trying to get them all back, and still suggests it be turned off immediately.

We know changing phones is a difficult and daunting task for many users. Whether that be transferring all of your content, saving text messages, setting everything up and more. It’s something no one wants to do, let alone for the 3rd time. With that in mind below we’ll go over the steps to backup your device and restore it to a new phone like the Galaxy S7 Edge. Not to mention share details from all major US carriers.

What To Do With Your Galaxy Note 7

Turn it off, stop using it, and return it for a full refund. Alternatively owners can trade it in for something else at any carrier store. Here’s an official statement from Samsung themselves.

“Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place.

We remain committed to working diligently with the CPSC, carriers and our retail partners to take all necessary steps to resolve the situation. Consumers with an original Galaxy Note7 or replacement Galaxy Note7 should power down and take advantage of the remedies available, including a refund at their place of purchase. For more information, consumers should visit samsung.com/us/note7recall or contact 1-844-365-6197.”

Since making that statement multiple reports have essentially confirmed that Samsung will no longer offer the phone, ever. Meaning a 3rd recall is likely never going to happen, and the device will disappear until a new Galaxy Note 8 arrives in 2017. If the company even decides to continue this specific product line.

However, simply turning the phone off and returning it doesn’t work for consumers. We use these phones for everything in our lives, want to save all texts, photos, emails, and more. As a result, below are some steps you’ll want to take.

Backup Your Galaxy Note 7 for Return

Backing up your smartphone and all of its contents is actually extremely easy. Samsung has software that does it automatically, and multiple 3rd party applications will do it as well. For full instructions click our link below.

Read: How to Backup & Reset Your Galaxy Note 7 for Return

Follow the steps outlined in that guide to completely backup and save everything from your Note 7. Those using Samsung Backup or SmartSwitch will be able to restore everything 100% on another Samsung device. We’d recommend users buy the Galaxy S7 Edge, which is perfectly safe to use. That or even the older Galaxy Note 5 from 2015.

It’s worth noting that carriers such as Verizon will not help owners backup or transfer data from the device before accepting the return. Plugging the device in and doing an extensive transfer could be a potential fire hazard. Carriers won’t do it, and whether or not your information is worth the risk is up to you.

Galaxy Note 7 replacements have exploded and caught fire

Galaxy Note 7 replacements have exploded and caught fire

Apps like Google Photos can save all photos in the cloud. SMS Backup & Restore will make a copy of every text message you can email yourself and restore to a new phone. And countless other options are explained in our guide above.

Returns & Refunds

Samsung is working with all carriers and retail stores to offer a full refund. Owners can return the Galaxy Note 7 to their place of purchase and get all of their money back, or trade it in for a different smartphone. In most cases you’ll actually get a credit on your bill, as the Galaxy Note 7 is one of the most expensive devices available today.

Those who return it for another Samsung device (like the excellent Galaxy S7 Edge) will get an additional $25 credit or gift card from Samsung and their carrier. Some are getting $100, from select carriers as well.

All carrier stores will also accept returns for any and all accessories. Whether that be cases, chargers, screen protectors and more. It doesn’t matter what condition the device or accessories are in, everything is eligible for return. Even outside of typical return windows. You don’t even need to return the box or charger. Just take the device in and return it to your carrier.

Carrier Information

All carriers and retail stores around the globe are accepting returns and working with Samsung or other partners. That said, here are official links for all major US carriers regarding the situation and their specific steps.

AT&T Galaxy Note 7 Return Info

Verizon Galaxy Note 7 Return Info

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 7 Return Info

Sprint Galaxy Note 7 Return Info

Owners of original or replacement devices are urged to stop using it immediately and return it for something else.

Carrier stores and staff will be extremely helpful. Head to a store near you for more information, to return the device and get something new.

Other Details

As of right now Samsung has stopped sales and replacement devices and are currently investigating the problem with exploding batteries inside of these devices. There is a small chance that it may be released at a later date, but that’s extremely doubtful right now.

What this means is owners will need to return the device for something else. Whether that be a Galaxy S7 Edge, the older Galaxy Note 5, or even something else completely like an iPhone 7 or LG V20. Samsung will even give users $100 if they switch to another Samsung phone.

At this time we don’t have any other details regarding the situation, or Samsung’s plan moving forward. This will have a huge impact on their revenue, sales, and even brand name in the future. We still expect an impressive and highly capable Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge to be announced and released in February of 2017. How well it will sell will be up to Samsung and if they can reassure customers of their safety.

This could be the last Galaxy Note

This could be the last Galaxy Note

We’re even hearing Samsung could cancel the entire Galaxy Note brand as a whole, and move to something else completely next year. Of course this is all only a rumor for now, but we’ll learn more in the coming weeks and months. At the end of the day using the Galaxy Note 7 just isn’t worth the risk. Take advantage of the information above to back up your device and return or for something else or a full refund. Does this change your perception of Samsung as a brand and their smartphones? Let us know in the comment section below.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. liviaemily_6

    10/13/2016 at 7:13 am

    its a good decision

  2. Leele Kimmy

    10/15/2016 at 10:04 am

    In article of NYT then The Verge, Samsung is said can’t replicate the issue. Well, perhaps Samsung can’t because only the US media can, namely the Verge (iVerge)

    Remember how the whole world can’t find IRAQI WMD, despite the US media telling the otherwise before IRAQ was destroyed?

    The Verge has been the first and foremost media telling Samsung explosions, as if it knew before it happened.

    But the funny thing is, the Verge didn’t post anything about iPhone explosions -at all, even though there are many cases, including a guy suffered from actual third-degree burn. That guy, Gareth, in Aussie did suffered from serious burn – not the Klering guy who said ‘vomiting black’ but refused to give the device to Samsung. (???) I thought the Verge is the most prominent media that care most about consumer safety #sarcasmintended

    Lesson will be: Do not sell the next Note in the US. Just let them use iPhone without 3.5mm jack or even a screen. You just don’t know how dirty the competition can be in the US when something is considered mighty opponent to the -now low sales-iPhone. And the biased sensationalist media in the US. Samsung might need to do little investigation about the Verge.

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