Galaxy Note 7: Samsung to issue phone-killing update

Samsung has announced that it will be taking another step to encourage returns of the Galaxy Note 7, by effectively issuing an update that bricks US devices.

The Korean company revealed on its website that just over 93% of all Galaxy Note 7 handsets have been returned in the US market.

“To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th and will be distributed within 30 days,” Samsung confirmed.

“This software update will prevent US Galaxy Note 7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.”

Samsung’s latest update for the Galaxy Note 7 will effectively kill the device in the USA

The move comes a few weeks after Samsung released an update that capped charging at 60% capacity.

Samsung’s fiery phablet is arguably the tech news story of the year, after over 30 reports of it catching fire prompted the firm to issue a recall.

However, the company was forced to issue a complete recall when replacement Galaxy Note 7 units caught fire as well. The second recall saw the phablet effectively killed off.

The South Korean firm is offering financial incentives to affected customers, such as refunds and varying amounts of credit.