In order to recall the remaining Galaxy Note 7 in the US market, Samsung, on Friday, announced that it will roll out a software update which will disable the device, forcing the users to return the devices. 
The South Korean giant has said that 93 per cent of all recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices present in the US had been returned to the company. For the remaining devices, the company is planning to roll out an over-the-air (OTA) update that will prevent the phones from charging, and thus, making them useless.
“To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th and will be distributed within 30 days. This software update will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices,” the company said in a statement.
All the major US carriers, except Verizon, have agreed to push the update on their networks. According to Verizon, it is unjust to render the phones useless in the “heart of the holiday travel season.”
“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,” said, Jffrey Nelson, Verizon VP of global corporate communications.
Once considered as a Samsung’s best bet, the Galaxy Note 7 has a become company’s worst nightmare with the recent turn of events. The Galaxy Note 7, which was launched in mid-August, was considered as the best flagship device created by Samsung so far. However, with the persistent overheating issue and reports of the device catching fire coming in, the company had no option but to issue a global recall and stop its production.
The whole Note 7 fiasco has burned a deep hole in company’s pocket, with recent estimates suggesting that whole chapter would Samsung up to $2.8 billion.