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Samsung Stops Airing Galaxy Note 7 Commercials, Preps Early Launch of Galaxy S8 (sammobile.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Given the bad press surrounding Samsung in regard to the faulty Galaxy Note 7 batteries, the company appears to have stopped airing Galaxy Note 7 commercials on TV. You know it's bad when they have reportedly stopped airing commercials in their home country, South Korea. One of the reasons behind the move is because sales of the Galaxy Note 7 have been suspended for over a week now, and will not be resuming until there is enough inventory to replace all Galaxy Note 7 units that have already been shipped. Some analysts believe sales might not be resumed until next month. Samsung will be using the ad space to market their other products like TVs and refrigerators. In addition, the company may be looking to launch the successor to the Galaxy S7 ahead of schedule. Kim Sang-pyo, an analyst for KB Investment and Securities said in a report: "If Samsung's flagship smartphone launch is delayed to the end of the first quarter of next year, the profitability of the mobile business division could be worsened next year," states the analyst. SamMobile also recently revealed the new model numbers for the Galaxy S8: the SM-G950 and the SM-G955. One model will feature a smaller screen, the other larger -- similar to the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, though both phones might have a curved display this time around.

86 comments

  1. Living on the edge by WarJolt · · Score: 1

    What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?

    1. Re:Living on the edge by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 1

      Do not underestimate Samsung.

      --
      Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
    2. Re:Living on the edge by Feral+Nerd · · Score: 1

      What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?

      If Samsung has any kind of sense they are fairly slim. Heads will roll at Samsung and whatever subcontractors are responsible for this FUBAR and this mistake will not be made again. I think we are more likely to see the Galaxy 8 rushed to market followed by a fresh dose of bad publicity due to it being bug-ridden as a result of the rush to get it to market.

    3. Re:Living on the edge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?

      Actually, I was thinking about that -- but on a grander scale.

      We humans do this; it's a kind of an ape thing. Specially when we get together in a bunch... we accept "calculated risks". We deem the fruit more tasteful than it is and decide it's cool to get it even if it's near a sleeping tiger.

      No pain, no gain etc. etc. If people are not dying, we're not trying hard enough and other BS.

      We invent cars and put dudes controlling them -- people who can have a heart attack and sometimes they really have.

      Transporting dangerous chemicals in trucks which now and then leak... in a urban setting!

      We should not be so. We should be more thoughtful and fearing like mothers, we should expect batteries to explode. A friend once explained to me about "planned ruin" (not sure how to write it in English) -- the concept of having a building to break in such a progressive, slow way to five people inside enough time to flee to safety.

      Samsung is learning a lesson now. Their customers, too. Others should take this opportunity not to gain market share, but to step up their projects to be more secure -- seeing that has economic value... as the developments of the present case now show.

    4. Re:Living on the edge by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      What are the chances that a single cell phone manufacturer will ship two devices that explode?

      Bound by what timeline? In the first 3 weeks? It's quite low. What about in 1 year? Or do you honestly think devices get recalled if all devices that explode do so within the first week? The answer could be 100%. Who knows.

    5. Re:Living on the edge by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      subcontractors are responsible

      Supplier. Not subcontractor. Remember this is a supply chain issue.

    6. Re:Living on the edge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They all do. This is just the first to explode at any sort of statistically meaningful rate.

    7. Re:Living on the edge by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      A single cell phone would be way too small to be practical.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  2. new phones by ixidor · · Score: 2

    get rid of the rounded edges, its crap. just let me add in an SD card, sim. have a headphone jack, keep up the "waterproof" bit. user-replaceable battery, andto sacrafice some water-tightness generally just make it faster,ligher, better screen.

    1. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I couldn't give a crap about 'lighter', I'd prefer they be twice as heavy and have twice the battery life.

      Bring back the brick!

    2. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah! a brick with a huge LI-ion battery! That way when the next one explodes it'll take the leg off instead of just burning it...

    3. Re: new phones by cheater512 · · Score: 1

      My S7 Edge is waterproof, sd card and a headphone jack.

      Oh and also dual sim which I didn't realise before buying.

      No compromises. :)

    4. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      get rid of the rounded edges, its crap.....

      Yup, those were the one feature of the S7 that really drove me nuts when I tried to use one. It was hyper sensitive to your palms and fingers touching around the edges causing it to open/close apps accidentally. It's truly is a bloody useless feature.

    5. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's true - it's useless... ...but now try using a phone with a screen that doesn't go all the way to the edge. It might as well have five centimetres of beige plastic for a bezel. Flat screens on hand-held devices look & feel so 2013.

      I'm not even kidding. I have an S7 Edge and a Note 2. Both elegant devices by any reasonable standard, but the S7 Edge (despite its unnecessary edge sensitivity) is elaganter.

    6. Re: new phones by hakurou46 · · Score: 1

      Samsung Customer Support wants to gently remind you that it's water RESISTANT, not water proof.

    7. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you are the reason these fucking things explode... "waaaaaaaaaa! make all the things better!!! waaaaaaaaaa!"

      You have to choose, you can't have everything.

      • Power hungry fast CPU/GPU, big screen, RF etc
      • Sealed and ambiently cooled
      • Tight small enclosure making cooling even shitter.
      • Relatively high density battery to power all that shit above which is particularly sensitive to heat which has a fail safe (physical expansion) made impossible by being crammed into a tiny enclosure.

      I'm surprised more phones don't explode... maybe only because people started playing pokomon go so much.

    8. Re:new phones by hakurou46 · · Score: 2

      For the Note9 we're going nuclear!

      The stylus also works as a control rod.

    9. Re: new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So.... you're "holding it wrong?"

      Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

    10. Re:new phones by ProzacPatient · · Score: 1

      I still have a Note 4; the last version with all those features sans the water resistance bit. I really do miss the water resistance from the S5 though.

    11. Re: new phones by Type44Q · · Score: 1

      I'd ask where you're using your phone but I'm afraid you'd tell me.

    12. Re:new phones by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      ... just let me add in an SD card, sim. have a headphone jack, keep up the "waterproof" bit. user-replaceable battery ...

      My Kyocera Hydro VIBE (released in 2014) is certified water-proof to 3m for 30min, has an exposed headphone jack, user-removable battery, SIM and SD card (back cover has a gasket) as well as wireless charging, bluetooth, etc...

      So that all isn't hard to achieve, just takes a little courage. :-)

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    13. Re:new phones by edtice1559 · · Score: 1

      You could get a battery case!

    14. Re:new phones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They are a lot bulkier than just integrating a larger battery into the phone.

  3. Samsung appliances by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are equally ridiculous. We replaced or kitchen appliances with Samsung, and to my dismay, my dishwasher and icemaker (yes, JUST the icemaker, not the freezer) now have Bluetooth. Who thought this was a good idea? I don't even know WTF this is needed in any kitchen appliance.

    I hate this fucking planet.

    1. Re:Samsung appliances by RDW · · Score: 5, Funny

      ...my dishwasher and icemaker (yes, JUST the icemaker, not the freezer) now have Bluetooth

      The icemaker probably detects if a Note 7 is in the room and generates extra ice in case it is needed to treat your burns.

    2. Re:Samsung appliances by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it is the toothpaste dispenser that has the Note 7 sensor.

  4. Removable battery? Nah... by anti-pop-frustration · · Score: 0

    You would think that by now the utter disaster that is the Galaxy Note 7 would have made Samsung see the light so that they would go back to selling phones with a removable battery... Right?

    Nah....

    Soldered battery, "Edge" curved shape, no sd card, appalling battery life due to 4K screen and as a bonus: constant Google location tracking that is impossible to turn off (welcome to Android 7). You know, what users asked for... /sarcasm

    Between this and Apple's "courage" no headphone jack iphones, the Android/iOS duopoly is really paying off... it's so nice being able to fuck your consumers over with shit products that make no sense... what are you going to do? Buy a Microsoft phone? Google and Apple own you.

    1. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by Zeio · · Score: 1

      Yeah. This. I was just going to chime in on this. This idiotic war against serviceable components, expandable flash and replaceable / expandable memory is really tiresome. And with every generations of phone ifixit and the like give out instructions and OEM and 3rd party batteries and repair items become available.

      And when something like this happens - it could have been : go to this special link to amazon, put your samsung serial number in and get an overnight package with the a new battery. But no. Now we have this fiasco.

      Lets weld in and glue in an ultra flammable part that is a common replacement item - for what?

      --
      Legalize the constitution. Think for yourself question authority.
    2. Re: Removable battery? Nah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For what you ask? For forcing you to get another phone when the battery stops charging. It's the Market, baby. Hail the Market! Kneel before the Market! Sacrifice your firstborn to the Market!

    3. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by hakurou46 · · Score: 2

      To be fair, only the S6 series had no SD card. The 7 series phones use the dual-sim tray to either load dual sim or sim+SD (except in countries where they lockout the dual sim feature, which basically just turns it into a sim+sd tray) And they're not 4K screens either, they're "Quad HD" at 2560x1440.

    4. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by jeremyp · · Score: 1

      But only Internet nerds care about "user serviceable". Most people like their ultra thin phones and don't care if the battery doesn't last for more than two years because they'll have a new phone by the time it dies.

      --
      All I want is a secure system where it's easy to do anything I want. Is that too much to ask ~~ Randall Munroe
    5. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by Trogre · · Score: 1

      I think you've happened upon the wrong web site there, son.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    6. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's the real shame. This isn't what's being discussed at all. If you could just pop out the battery, as was the norm with pretty much every non-shit electronic device ever, this would have been done and over. But by and large, that point is overlooked, and instead the public discourse is Apple vs Android fanboy fuel.

    7. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      S7 and Note 7 have removable SD cards. I got a free 256GB one with mine. User replaceable batteries are much thicker than the sealed batteries.

    8. Re:Removable battery? Nah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the funny thing is, the BlackBerry Passport is still the most advanced mobile computing device available. Nobody buys it cuz teh BlackBerry not cool. So nerdy, even nerds bully it!

    9. Re: Removable battery? Nah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nope.

      It's because the batteries are nice rectangular pieces anymore. To squeeze every last mAh out of the battery, they basically have to squeeze it in like a gel and let it freeze into all the little nooks and crannies left over in the phone after all the chips and other electronic components are mounted. They don't want you to break the whole phone replacing the battery, so they just don the let you replace the battery.

      I'm on my 3rd iPhone and I've never had the batteries die or wear out in any perceptible way. I went 3-4 years between upgrades because the phones were working perfectly. I mostly upgraded to get significantly better tech (Retina display, etc.).

      I'm assuming that the Android scene is similar. It's not just an upgrade treadmill. Stop making it seem like that.

    10. Re: Removable battery? Nah... by tnk1 · · Score: 1

      Yes, but that's not the only reason. Making batteries replaceable means designing the phones around that to some degree. They can't be jammed behind something else or a tight fit, they would need to be accessible. If they aren't easily accessible, then replacing the batteries is a nightmare not only for the company, but for you, which then makes you hate them anyway. And you breaking your phone to replace a certified replaceable battery generates maintenance requests, and general bad PR for them since they said that you could do it, and lo and behold, everyone is breaking their phone trying to get at it, where it is shoehorned in your ultraslim device where every millimeter of space is accounted for.

      There are good reasons to buy a phone with a replaceable battery, but making it non-replaceable does simplify the process of designing, testing and manufacturing the phones if they don't have to deal with removal and replacement of the battery by consumers.

      They may have also noticed that most people buy a new phone long before the original battery has worn out. Certainly there are people who use theirs into the ground and would appreciate a replaceable battery, but if that percentage is relatively small compared to their user base, then it's not an important feature overall for a mass market product.

    11. Re: Removable battery? Nah... by TekPolitik · · Score: 1

      The Note series is designed to be a serious workhorse. A lot of the people who own them need the battery to last, so they replace it when the battery life drops below an acceptable level (for them). This is likely well before the battery "dies".

      The non user replaceable battery and the curved screen are keeping me off the Note 7, not the exploding battery. I need a replaceable battery for the reasons above, and flat screen so I can add a case that protects the screen adequately. Both of these are about device lifetime.

      Samsung is opening up an opportunity for another supplier. Hopefully one takes up that opportunity.

  5. Should have quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Samsung should have quit with the NOTE 4 they really haven't improved that much since it's release. Now mine is paid off also.

    1. Re:Should have quit by ranton · · Score: 1

      Samsung should have quit with the NOTE 4 they really haven't improved that much since it's release. Now mine is paid off also.

      They are going to have a hard time getting me to upgrade my Note 4. It may be the first phone I keep for four years. Unless someone gives me a 6"+ flagship phone and/or stop going thinner and give us a 6000+ mAh battery, I'll have this Note 4 until they no longer offer a replacement plan for the next time I break it.

      --
      -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
    2. Re:Should have quit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Unless someone gives me a 6"+ flagship phone

      What's wrong with the Nexus 6P? From what I've heard it is an excellent phone.

  6. Unusable screen space by mwvdlee · · Score: 1

    The curved screen looks cool on a store shelf but, like glossy displays, is utterly useless and, like glossy displays, will be the norm before you know it.
    Because fuck usability; it's sellability that counts.

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    Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
  7. Thinking outside the box by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

    I've been seeing a LOT of commercials for Samsung refrigerators and (I think) washing machines while watching MLB.tv the past week or so. They're pretty standard fare... I wish they'd have a little fun with them. Like when the couple is standing there marveling at the refrigerator, suddenly it should catch on fire. It'd be even better with a washing machine.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Thinking outside the box by TimeTraveler1884 · · Score: 1

      But then the FAA would have to issue a warning against brining washing machines onto a plane with your carry-ons.

    2. Re:Thinking outside the box by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It'd be even better with a washing machine.

      Well, in fact Samsung washing machines have been catching on fire. So make sure you return it if you own an affected model.

    3. Re:Thinking outside the box by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I've been seeing a LOT of commercials for Samsung refrigerators and (I think) washing machines while watching MLB.tv the past week or so. They're pretty standard fare... I wish they'd have a little fun with them.

      While sitting in a restaurant one day recently I got treated to a fucking Samsung infomercial hawking their new Roomba. To be fair, that looks like a pretty cool product, but a) I'm not buying one anyway because my house has split levels and I would need three of them and b) how fucking desperate is Samsung that they're doing infomercials now?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re:Thinking outside the box by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      But then the FAA would have to issue a warning against bringing washing machines onto a plane with your carry-ons.

      They stopped me from bringing my own food on-board. I told them I hadn't had barbecue in quite a while and the hibachi would fit under the seat, but noooo .... (apologies to Steven Wright)

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  8. The looming naming crisis by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I would guess in a few years there will be some head scratching when Apple and Samsung both try to figure out how to avoid naming their phones "iPhone 13" or "Galaxy S13" or something. That would just be a social media disaster waiting to happen. I'm guessing they will just skip the number like hotels do when naming the floors. But of course everyone buy an iPhone 14 will know that it is really the iPhone 13 and is probably an unlucky piece of crap.

  9. Video by Mr_Silver · · Score: 1

    Can't believe I'm posting a link to the Sun newspaper (ick!), but they have a video of a S7 going up in smoke on a table whilst the owner appears to be ordering food.

    It wasn't even being charged at the time.

    --
    Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
  10. reminds me of this scene by s1d3track3D · · Score: 1
  11. Software Update for S. Korean Note 7s by No+Longer+an+AC · · Score: 1

    Samsung to limit battery charging on Galaxy Note 7 phones to prevent fires

    Basically, they're updating software in their home market to only charge up to 60% until everyone stops using them.

    The software update is due to be introduced early the following day [next Tuesday] for phones that haven't been exchanged, according to the newspaper ad.

    The ad didn't say whether the update would be automatic or require users' agreement. Samsung didn't respond to a request for more information on the software patch.

    In the U.S., the company is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to figure out how a formal recall of the phones will work.

    Asked about the software update, a Samsung spokesperson in the U.S. said that "no action will be taken without the approval of the CPSC."
     

  12. Introducing the new Samsung Galaxy 10 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It will be the last Galaxy phone, in the Galaxy, in ever. The GSGX update will roll out to all Galaxy 7 and Galaxy 8 customers, and we will just skip version 9. The new and improved apps will be better than ever and we promise that they will not just spontaneous combust and burn all your shit, trust us. Mandatory and proprietary new firmware will ensure your battery is always half charged, and each handset will, as always, come with tons and tons of preloaded apps that can't be removed. Apps, 10, newer, more betterer, good, Samsung.

  13. WTF by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1
    First: The Note series is for people who need a stylus - or at least believe they do. What would bringing out the S8 earlier give them?

    Second: Hell Yeah, it's always a good idea to ship something earlier than you planned, because that will sure iron out the bugs before release. That's obviously the best way to stop the bad press.

    --
    Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    1. Re: WTF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How much real R&D goes into recent flagships? Slap on Android, load your hardware drivers, load your custom UI modules, QED.

      Release cycles are almost purely limited by market strategy rather than R&D limitations.

  14. Well... by johnsmithperson123 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I also predict an early launch of the Galaxy Note 8, which looks suspiciously like a Galaxy Note 7, but with a larger battery and more storage.

  15. Ahead of schedule by jeremyp · · Score: 3, Insightful

    In addition, the company may be looking to launch the successor to the Galaxy S7 ahead of schedule.

    Yes, how did it work out for them last time they tried to rush a phone to market (ahead of the iPhone 7)? You'd think they would have learned a lesson from this.

    --
    All I want is a secure system where it's easy to do anything I want. Is that too much to ask ~~ Randall Munroe
    1. Re:Ahead of schedule by Solandri · · Score: 1

      That's only a problem when you're trying to rush out a new phone with completely new features. In this case, the name is what most needs to be replaced. So they could simply remove the new S8 features they're working on that don't quite work yet, and replace them with the same parts in the S7, and release it as the S8. Essentially it'd be a S7.5, just that it'd be named the S8.

  16. Misleading title by CptLoRes · · Score: 1

    Why the need to try and sell the post on Slashdot with a misleading title? The early S8 release is nothing but pure speculation from some analysts.

  17. This weekend, advertising in the US by turp182 · · Score: 1

    During American football (background noise for me, I call it handegg).

    I was thinking, rather than advertising the features of the phone, they should push it as an "exciting" purchase, with the key question being: Will it explode?

    One would think, after a total recall, that all product related activities would stop immediately. I understand advertising contracts and such, but swap out the content with a warning and notice of the recall, rather than continuing to push the product.

    --
    BlameBillCosby.com
  18. I hope they go back to removable batteries by blind+biker · · Score: 1

    One of the nicest features of the Galaxy S line of smartphones was user-replaceable batteries. I hope they go back to that model.

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
  19. No biggie by Sensei_knight · · Score: 1

    This sort of thing has happened before( with laptops most notably). I don't see why they're acting like they have to replace a whole bunch of phones when all they have to do is replace the batteries.

    1. Re:No biggie by voights · · Score: 1

      Hahaha, nope. They permanently integrated the battery into the phone and it came back to bite them. Bittersweet irony.

    2. Re:No biggie by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I don't see why they're acting like they have to replace a whole bunch of phones when all they have to do is replace the batteries.

      Because it will cost them just as much to replace the batteries as it will to put a new device in your hands, maybe more when you consider logistics. And given the inefficiency of the shipping involved as everyone puts their device in the mail — whoops, this is a defective battery-powered device, it's illegal to mail it in some places — the most efficient thing would probably be to just recycle them. There's already a relatively efficient network in place for that. Ideally this would be a service provided by the people to whom you donate smartphones; they'd filter out the defectives and send them to be scrapped. Partially defective smartphones are still valuable for parts.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  20. Question by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...though both phones might have a curved display this time around.

    Before or after ignition?

  21. "Launch of the Galaxy S8" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Given the volatile nature of the Note 7, maybe not the best choice of words.

  22. This should be good... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

    It turns out that the 'S8' is just the S7 with a green paint job and 'This Side Toward Enemy' printed on the back.

  23. Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by fyngyrz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    One good thing here is it underscores what a poor choice it is to create a design with non-replaceable batteries.

    If Samsung hadn't been in such a hurry to design planned obsolescence into the phone via non-replaceable batteries, all they would have had to do is send out new batteries, instead of ENTIRE NEW PHONES. You listening, Samsung? .... of course not. :)

    Well, all I can describe it as, is as having all the appearance of a particularly apt form of karma. They intentionally fucked the customer; the universe fucked them back. Harder. [gentle smile]

    --
    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
    1. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by FrankHaynes · · Score: 1

      Unless the fault lies not in the battery, but in the charging circuitry and/or algorithms controlling said circuitry.

      --
      slashdot: A failed experiment.
    2. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by hakurou46 · · Score: 1

      "Based on our investigation, Samsung learned that there was an issue with the battery cell. An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact which is a very rare manufacturing process error.
      There were three specific contributing issues: The anode-to-cathode, squashed plate and shrinking insulating tape within the battery cell."

    3. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by nightfire-unique · · Score: 1

      Absolutely. Frankly, it fills me with glee (except for those who were hurt).

      I'd be in favor of a law in Canada banning the import/sale of devices with sealed batteries. There is simply no excuse. None. It's an environmental disaster and there is simply. no. excuse.

      * Exceptions for certain medical devices

      --
      A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    4. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by gordguide · · Score: 1

      I disagree completely. Not that I'm in favour of non-replaceable batteries, but because I'm in favour of safety. The issue is that users will inevitably replace any user-replaceable battery with the least expensive available unit. It's these marginal batteries that don't properly incorporate the very necessary LiON safety electronics that form part of every LiON battery pack.

      In other words, although non-replaceable batteries are a pain, and although Samsung in this instance has somehow managed to incorporate a somewhat dangerous battery pack / charging regimen (either of which can lead to fires), none the less tight control of the battery supplier's product is the only way to mitigate the issue.

      Every manufacturer of a LiON-powered device has had, at some point, problems with a battery fire hazard. They all are aware of the potential dangers. Just because there is a current incident with Samsung's smartphone does not mean they are not actively working to have no problems. Shit happens, even when you are looking out for shit. But it happens less when you are on the case than when you have no control over it.

      What are the chances that a large scale no-cost recall ... actually one with a small incentive thrown in ... would happen with a low-cost perhaps generic-labelled replacement? I say zero.

    5. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by gordguide · · Score: 1

      Unless the fault lies not in the battery, but in the charging circuitry and/or algorithms controlling said circuitry.



      It shouldn't matter. LiON battery packs are supposed to have a fail-safe circuit built into the battery itself, that disables the battery entirely if certain charging parameters are met that are known to be dangerous. In theory a faulty charging system should result in a dead battery, not a fire.
    6. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      One good thing here is it underscores what a poor choice it is to create a design with non-replaceable batteries.

      Because the ability to swap a controlled battery out by a cheap Chinese ebay knock-off would reduce the number of fires?

      Sorry but no.

    7. Re:Turnabout: their dogma ran over their karma by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      False. That depends entirely on the purpose of the battery, the design, and the amount of intelligence that goes into it. It's nothing more than a design decision.

      A LiIon battery can be a flexible wet cell that bursts into flames if you look at it funny.
      A LiIon battery can have a limited amount of of control circuitry that disconnects it on over current.
      A LiIon battery can have a lot of control circuitry that ensures correct charging characteristics.
      A LiIon battery can have a self contained charging circuit requiring only a higher voltage at the terminals than the one feeding it.

      It all depends on the design, and I hope it comes as no surprise to you that I happened to have listed them in order of complexity, cost, size and weight all at the same time.

  24. Die, Samsung, die by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 1

    It is, of course, not going to, at least not for many years; however, the schadenfreude associated with the distress of this asshole company will last for a while.

  25. Note 7 is a disaster by AbRASiON · · Score: 1

    I've whined about this across multiple sites in the hopes some fuckwit from Samsung reads it, (chances 0.01%) but if they are going to up the pace on the S8 then for goodness sakes make an S8+ edition in 5.7" or larger.

    Some of "Note fans" myself included, like the big phone, I couldn't give a shit about the stylus. I know some people do, great, let them keep the Note series. For me though, give me that cubic half an inch (??) more battery please or processing speed. The Pen in my Note 2 and Note 5 is effectively useless to me.

    Oh and the Note 7?I would've got one, except you stubborn assholes insisted on a curved display ONLY, yeah real smart move there, aesthetrics over usability.
    Light reflecting off the corners.
    Accidental palm press of the corners
    Image being distorted around the corners
    Slightly less real estate.
    More difficult to protect the screen with a glass or plastic protector
    Did I mention the accidental presses?

    Seriously curved is a stupid gimmick. Saved me over $500 US though. I got a used Note 5 unlocked in ridiculously good condition for about $380 US.

    Bonus points: The ONE TIME Apple fans are a little disillusioned over headphone jacks, Samsung bone it up REAL bad. Honestly as a Samsung fan, good. I heard Apple is playing second fiddle to Samsung lately, I hope Apple give them a pounding so they get their idiot heads in order.

    1. Re:Note 7 is a disaster by hakurou46 · · Score: 1

      Hello. As someone who works for Samsung (betcha didn't expect that, huh! also fairly low down the chain. I'm hoping to also not be a fuckwit, but I can't make any promises) I'm hoping to shed a little light on the lack of a Plus size model for the 7 lines.

      It's rather silly, but the actual reason we were given as to why there wouldn't be a S7 Edge Plus was simply for stockkeeping - having retailers stock the S7 Flat, S7 Edge AND S7 Edge Plus, in multiple colors of each, was simply not viable - we ran into this issue with the S6 and several stores ran out of popular colors much faster than we'd like to, giving us a huge pain to deal with.

      Now that we're expanding the online store, we can hopefully stockkeep ourselves this time and maybe actually get a Plus-size model for the S8... But I doubt it won't be Edge, sorry. They are super popular. I mean, even I got one, and I didn't even get an employee discount. (Granted, I got it for the 20% larger battery against the S7 Flat, but still.)

    2. Re:Note 7 is a disaster by AbRASiON · · Score: 1

      Fair call, makes sense, how hard is a Note 7 flat edition then? Seriously. Bastard decision by some goon. Reminds me of the gloss finish laptop displays, it's bloody awful but it's the cool new fad.

  26. They might consider changing the Galaxy name by JoeyRox · · Score: 1

    I have a silver Galaxy S7. I usually get about one comment a week about how nice the phone looks. After the Note 7 recall happened when people ask the model of my phone and I tell them the Galaxy S7 they cringe and ask "the one that explodes?". So it's looking like people are associating the brand-new Galaxy with the issue instead of the specific Galaxy Note 7 model. Or maybe they're associating the number 7. Either way, Samsung might want to look into the feasibility of changing the brand name for future models.

  27. Removable batteries by emil · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Samsung, the electronics will last far longer than the lithium battery. Had the note 7 battery been removable, users could have swapped a $10 replacement and kept their phones. Aesthetics/styling are the only benefits to an embedded battery, but this really accelerates product obsolescence and forces your customers to spend more. This is unacceptable.

    Bring back removable batteries. If you don't, then I wish more million-unit recalls upon you until you build the product that we want.

    Maybe you'll be a penny stock by then.

    1. Re:Removable batteries by eionmac · · Score: 1

      I do not buy any phones with non-removable batteries. Limits some possibilities but eliminates burn-ups

      --
      Regards Eion MacDonald
  28. As linked above, the S7 also likes to smoke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...so it may not be limited to the Note 7.

    There's CCTV footage of one going up in smoke at a coffee shop in London and there's speculation in this article that an S7 caused a fire in a car.

  29. The new Samsung by LordHighExecutioner · · Score: 1

    There are rumors that Samsung S8 will not catch fire: it will simply enter in orbit around the Earth by itself, beaming then off the Galaxy, thanks to its powerful Li-Ion engines...

  30. Fire hazards of various types by emil · · Score: 1

    I agree that battery replacement is dangerous - I have ordered several replacement batteries for my Note 2 from ebay. They all had Samsung labeling, but exhibited wildly erratic discharge (dropping from 50% to 10% within a few minutes).

    I have since replaced them with Anker batteries, which appear to have a good reputation for quality and safety, and are really not much more expensive than the Chinese low-end. People should be encouraged to avoid batteries made in China for safety reasons, unless they are vetted or supplied by an OEM.

    The chargers also can be dangerous, and low-end Chinese manufacturers skimp on safety and quality. Look for the "UL" symbol for Underwriters Laboratories on any USB chargers. Also check for spelling and grammar mistakes in the labeling on the device, which are sure signs of a cheap forgery.

    Power components must be purchased from reputable suppliers to assure safety.

    1. Re:Fire hazards of various types by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      Look for the "UL" symbol for Underwriters Laboratories on any USB chargers.

      Unfortunately, this is not a good indicator anymore. Chinese companies have no problem forging certification labels on products they manufacture.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?