After having to recall most Note 7’s around the world due to the battery overheating, Samsung has had to push a mandatory software update through for all remaining Note 7’s to limit battery capacity to 60% to avoid them overheating.
Samsung has discontinued production of the phone, and has recalled a majority of the units sold worldwide, but some customers have decided to keep theirs which has prompted Samsung into action to avoid the same mistakes repeating themselves.
In a press release from Tuesday, Samsung stated; “The update is the latest measure taken by the company to reduce customer risk and simultaneously drive all remaining Galaxy Note 7 customers in Europe to replace their devices immediately”.
With the update essentially crippling the phone, Samsung are hoping that the customers who held onto their Note 7 will reconsider and return them. Samsung has also begun offering incentives to trade in, as in the US they offer customers trading in their Note 7 financial incentives up to $100 if they get another Samsung phone to replace their Note 7.
The update will initially be rolling out in just Europe, and Samsung has not stated whether it will also be introduced around the rest of the world, although it can be expected considering 2.5million units were sold worldwide.
The update will begin rolling out on October 31st 2016, and although the phone will still be semi functional, it is widely expected that the customers that kept their Note 7’s will succumb and trade them in.
Samsung tested this software update previously, and have stated that it was effective in minimising the risk of the battery bursting into flames, and there have been no incidents reported from the phones that have had the update installed on them.
