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Chronicling the life of the Samsung Galaxy Note7

Note 1: This article was first published on 12th October 2016 and continuosly updated to reflect on the ongoing Galaxy Note7 smartphone debacle and findings.
Note 2, Jan 23, 2017: Samsung has finally concluded official investigations with third-party industry expert organizations. You can find the official explanation for the Note 7's failure and how the company is taking all measures possible to prevent such an incident from ever happening again here.

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 has had a very rough start and it might go down in history as the smartphone with the shortest shelf life. We take a look at its two-month journey from the launch to its unfortunate demise. We've partitioned this story in the following broad sections:-

The Tease

Even before its official announcement on 2nd August 2016, the Galaxy Note7 had appeared in numerous rumors for the prior 7 months. Three of the most prominent rumors which turned out to be accurate were the availability of only one curved model, the use of an iris scanner, and a somewhat similar design as the Galaxy S7 edge.

Official Launch

  • 2 August 2016: The big unveil and announcement

Samsung held the Galaxy Unpacked event in New York on 2nd August 2016 to announce the Galaxy Note7. The South Korean company skipped one generation with the naming as it wanted to align the latest Note device with its Galaxy S7 counterparts.

As its most advanced device yet, the Galaxy Note7 boasts several firsts for the company; the first dual-curved display, the first IP68-rated Galaxy Note device, and the first Samsung device to come with an iris scanner and a USB Type-C port. Here's a pictorial guide on the key features of the Galaxy Note7 and our own 1 minute video reel summing up its seven most standout characteristics:-

  • 4 August: Samsung Galaxy Studio Roadshow

To showcase and allow consumers in Singapore try out the new Galaxy Note7, Samsung held a month-long roadshow at Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City to showcase 6 different zones such as the new S Pen, live demo of the iris scanner, interactive session with the Gear Fit2 and Gear IconX and VR experiences.

Pre-order Phase

  • 3 August: Pre-orders commence

Samsung started pre-orders on 3rd August, 12 noon with a registration of interest at the three local telcos, select Samsung Experience Stores and official retailers. Customers who successfully pre-ordered the Galaxy Note7 received a complimentary Samsung Galaxy Note7 Lens Kit worth $198 during collection on 19th August 2016.

M1 was the first telco to unveil the price plans for the Galaxy Note7 on 12th August , followed by StarHub on the same day and Singtel three days later. We did up a in-depth comparison to find out which telco offers the best deal.

  • 13 August: Possible Android 7.0 Nougat update in the coming months

At launch, the Galaxy Note7 shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and was reportedly scheduled for an update to Android 7.0 Nougat in two to three months. Seems like there isn't a need for that now (#oops). Our review of the Galaxy Note7 covers much more if you need to know about the device, UI, performance and much more.

  • 14 August: Delayed launch in several markets

Caught off-guard by the overwhelming demand, Samsung faced "a global supply constraint" which resulted in the company pushing back the launches in several countries such as Malaysia and Russia.

  • 19 August: Pre-order collection begins

On 19th August, customers who had successfully pre-ordered the Galaxy Note7 made their way to the respective telcos and retail stores to collect their devices.

Tzu Cheong, a 19-year-old student was the first customer to get the Galaxy Note7 at VivoCity.
Tzu Cheong, a 19-year-old student was the first customer to get the Galaxy Note7 at VivoCity.

The Phantom Menace

  • 1 September: First reports of exploding units

This image of a burnt Samsung Galaxy Note7 was posted on
This image of a burnt Samsung Galaxy Note7 was posted on

Two weeks after the global availability of the Galaxy Note7, reports surfaced from South Korea that deliveries of the devices had been stopped to the three Korean telcos. Yonhap news agency claimed that there were "exploding" Galaxy Note7 devices and a Samsung official at that time could not confirm if there was indeed a safety concern.

  • 2 September: Possible recall of the Galaxy Note 7

Korean publication Chosun Ilbo reported that Samsung was considering a recall of the Galaxy Note7. Samsung Mobile Singapore issued a statement clarifying that a thorough investigation was underway and findings would be shared as soon as possible.

  • 2 September: Official statement from Samsung to stop sales

Samsung made an unprecedented decision to halt global sales of the Galaxy Note7 after its investigations revealed that there were 35 cases of the Galaxy Note7 with battery issues worldwide. It also announced a plan to replace the sold units with a brand new set in the coming weeks.


The Big Recall and Exchange

  • 6 September: Replacement program estimated to cost US$1 billion

Quoting estimates from Credit Suisse Group AG, Daishin Securities Co. and Pelham Smithers Associates, Bloomberg claimed in its news report that Samsung could spend as much as US$1 billion for the recall or replacement program. Koh Dong Jin, the head of the mobile business at Samsung, reportedly described the financial impact as "heartbreaking".

  • 6 September: Interim phones made available for Galaxy Note7 users

While Samsung Mobile Singapore worked out the details for a local exchange program, it confirmed that Galaxy Note7 users could borrow a replacement phone to tide them over the interim period.

  • 6 September: Announcement of a local exchange programe

Samsung announced a local exchange program where customers could exchange their device anytime from 16th September to 2nd October via in-person at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre or free home delivery.

  • 7 September: Samsung sheds light on what went wrong

Samsung shared some technical details on what caused the battery of the Galaxy Note7 to overheat and explode.

Attack of the Fires

  • 9 September: Jeep set on fire by an exploding Galaxy Note7

One of the more serious incidents occurred in St. Petersburg where an exploding Galaxy Note7 set a jeep on fire. The driver left the device charging in the jeep while he was unloading furniture.

Screenshot taken from video at FOX 13.
Screenshot taken from video at FOX 13.
  • 9 September: FAA and CPSC issued advisories

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued advisories to consumers to stop using the Galaxy Note7. Passengers were not allowed to turn on or charge the devices in planes while CPSC urged customers to power down their devices.

(Image source: Reddit)
(Image source: Reddit)
  • 10 September: Samsung Mobile Singapore issued advisory

In a Facebook post, Samsung Mobile Singapore urged customers to power down their devices and exchange them as soon as possible.

  • 14 September: Temporary fix to prevent the Galaxy Note7 from exploding

Samsung will be rolling out a software update to the Galaxy Note7 which will limit the maximum charge capacity so as to minimize the risk of the battery exploding.

  • 14 September: More than 70 cases reported in the U.S.

The Canadian government revealed that there had been more than 70 incidents of the Galaxy Note7 catching fire in the U.S. alone. It initiated a recall of the device with Samsung.

  • 16 September: Another car caught fire after a Galaxy Note7 exploded

The Daily Mail reported that a car was engulfed in flames in Florida after a Galaxy Note7 exploded in the passenger seat while being charged.

  • 18 September: The first lawsuit against Samsung by a Galaxy Note7 user

CNBC claimed that a Florida man filed a lawsuit against Samsung after his Galaxy Note7 exploded in his pocket and left him with severe burns on his leg. U.S regulators added that there were over 92 incidents.

  • 19 September: Samsung rushed the launch of the Galaxy Note7 to beat Apple?

Based on information from "people familiar with the matter", Bloomberg made a bold claim that the top executives at Samsung decided to speed up the launch of the Galaxy Note7 after they heard that Apple’s iPhone 7 would look just like the iPhone 6/6s. This could have led to increased pressure to deliver and resulted in the battery defects.

  • 22 September: Samsung could face a "trust crisis" in China

Forbes revealed that Galaxy Note7 users in China were not satisfied with Samsung's handling of the situation. While Samsung rolled out exchange or recall programs in other global markets, nothing was done in China. Canalys research director Nicole Peng stated that this could push Samsung towards a "trust crisis" where consumers have doubts about the Samsung brand.

  • 25 September: Replaced Galaxy Note7 units overheating or losing charge too quickly

Reports surfaced in South Korea that replacement units were overheating or losing charge even when being charged. While Samsung acknowledged this feedback, it insisted that these were "isolated incidents".

A small number of customers in Singapore also faced similar issues which Samsung Mobile Singapore described as "not widespread".

  • 26 September: Consumer confidence in Samsung affected

According to an online survey done by Branding Brand, 34% of existing customers stated that they will not buy another Samsung smartphone following the Galaxy Note7 recall.


A New Hope

  • 29 September: FAA updated its advisory

The FAA updated its advisory which mentioned that newer non-recalled devices and the replaced units with a green battery indicator are excluded from the ban.

  • 1 October: China's CCTV slammed Samsung

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV posted a commentary piece that slammed Samsung for its arrogant behavior in handling the Galaxy Note7 situation.

  • 4 October: Samsung to resume global sales of the Galaxy Note7

Samsung announced that it would resume sales of the device in Korea on 1st October and global markets would follow suit in the coming weeks.

The Fire Strikes Back

  • 6 October: Replaced Galaxy Note7 exploded in a U.S plane

A replaced Galaxy Note7 exploded on the Southwest Airline’s flight 994 and burned through the carpet and sub-floor of the plane. The affected unit was apparently turned off and exchanged at a telco's store on 21 September.

Image credit: The Verge, via Brian Green
Image credit: The Verge, via Brian Green
  • 8 October: U.S telco said to be stopping sales of the Galaxy Note7

AT&T, the second biggest U.S telco and third biggest Samsung customer, was said to be considering to halt the sales of the device.

  • 9 October: Another replaced Galaxy Note7 catches fire in the U.S

A replaced Galaxy Note7 "melted" in the hands of its 13-year-old owner and left her with a minor burn to the thumb. The device was said to be a replacement model obtained by the owner on 21 September.

  • 9 October: Two other replaced models exploded in the U.S and Taiwan

Similar incidents were reported in Kentucky and Taiwan. For the U.S incident, the owner claimed to have received a message from a Samsung employee which was not meant for him. The Taiwan's Consumers' Foundation reportedly advised Samsung Taiwan the day before to halt all sales and replacements of the Galaxy Note7.

Return of the Galaxy Note7

  • 10 October: Temporary suspension of production of the Galaxy Note7

Samsung is said to be suspending the production of its Galaxy Note7 temporarily in coordination with safety officials in South Korea, the U.S and China.

  • 11 October: Samsung halts global sales for the second time

As consumers' safety is its top priority, Samsung made the decision to stop the global sales of the Galaxy Note7 for the second time in two months. It also wants Galaxy Note7 users to power down their devices immediately.

  • 11 October: Samsung Mobile Singapore responds

Samsung Mobile Singapore states that it is working with the three telcos and retailers to work out a resolution for customers. It will share details of the remedy very soon.

  • 11 October: Farewell to the Galaxy Note7

Samsung officially confirmed that it is ending production of the Galaxy Note7 for good. What this means is that the device has reached End of Life (EOL), the final stage of a product's existence - all within a couple of months since it debuted.

  • 12 October: Refund/Exchange program in Singapore

Consumers in Singapore can opt for a refund for their Galaxy Note7 devices or exchange them for a Galaxy S7, S7 edge or any other Samsung device with the price difference refunded to them as well.


Note7 debacle Impact on Samsung and in air travel

  • 13 October: Estimated financial impact on Samsung

Bloomberg estimates that the Galaxy Note7 crisis could cost Samsung at least US$2.34 billion from the sales loss, costs of inventories in the channel and component orders.

  • 13 October: Samsung still clueless on what caused the Galaxy Note7 fires

The New York Times claimed that Samsung employees were unable to reproduce the explosions for the first batch of Galaxy Note7 devices.

  • 13 October: Speculation on cause of fires began

The Financial Times said that Samsung engineers tweaked the processor to speed up the charging process, which the battery could not handle and exploded.

  • 14 October: Samsung will share findings of investigations in the coming weeks

Samsung issued a statement that it was conducting a thorough investigation and more information would be shared in the coming weeks.

  • 14 October: Samsung shares more information on refund and exchange program in Singapore

Samsung Mobile Singapore said that Galaxy Note7 customers can get a full refund (S$1,168) or exchange for the Galaxy S7 edge with S$250 cash.

  • 15 October: Galaxy Note7 banned on all U.S flights

The FAA classified the Galaxy Note7 as a hazardous material, therefore it was not allowed on all U.S flights.

Collection counters setup at the airports.
Collection counters setup at the airports.
  • 17 October: Bringing the Galaxy Note7 onboard a U.S flight is a federal crime

Anyone caught bringing the device onboard could face fines, imprisonment of up to 10 years or both.

  • 18 October: Samsung shares full details of refund and exchange program in Singapore

Samsung Mobile Singapore set up a website for customers to select refund or exchange with home delivery or self collection option.

  • 18 October: Samsung to lose more phone sales to Apple and Huawei

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that consumers will switch to iOS or the next best Android alternative, Huawei.

  • 18 October: South Korean government steps in to assist

The South Korean government reportedly stepped in to assist Samsung in its investigations of the Galaxy Note7 after the latter still had no idea of what went wrong.

  • 19 October: Samsung accused of bribery to cover up case of exploding Galaxy Note7

A Chinese consumer told the New York Times that Samsung employees approached him with a replacement device and US$900 in compensation to keep the video of his exploding Note7 private.

  • 21 October: Samsung considering new compensation initiative in Korea

The Korea Herald claimed that Samsung was considering to give Galaxy Note7 users cash discounts for their purchase of the Galaxy S8 or Note8.

  • 25 October: Samsung rolls out Galaxy Upgrade program in Korea

Galaxy Note7 users who have exchanged for a Galaxy S7 or S7 edge are eligible for this program where they only need to pay half the price of the S7/S7 edge to upgrade to the Galaxy S8 or Note8.

  • 27 October: Samsung reports massive hit to Q3 profits

Samsung reported a drop of US$1.93 billion in operating profit for Q3 due to the Galaxy Note7 crisis.

Putting an end to the Note7

  • 22 November: Samsung brand in the U.S unaffected by the Galaxy Note7 crisis

A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll reveals that U.S consumers are still willing to purchase Samsung phones despite the Galaxy Note7 fires.

  • 6 December: Aggressive design to be blamed?

Hardware engineers from Instrumental claimed that the design of the Note7 compresses the battery during normal operation, which caused the battery to heat up and explode.

  • 9 December: Note7 user receives alert that the phone may not work after a software update

A Note7 user in the U.S sent a screenshot of the message stating that Samsung will modify the software to prevent the device from functioning.

  • 20 December: Samsung Singapore will disable the unreturned Galaxy Note7 devices

For the safety of the consumers, Samsung Singapore states that it will implement a software update on 28 December to disable any unreturned Galaxy Note7.

  • 23 December: "Galaxy Note7" Wi-Fi hotspot caused a U.S flight delay

Air crew on a U.S flight thought that someone sneaked the Galaxy Note7 onboard after a Wi-Fi hotspot named after the device was detected. It caused unnecessary panic and led to the plane landing later and cancelling a connecting flight.

Image source: @lucaswoj
Image source: @lucaswoj

Post Mortem

  • 3 January 2017: Samsung ends the Galaxy Note7 investigation

Samsung concludes its investigation and expects to share the findings in mid-January.

  • 7 January 2017: Samsung reports biggest profit in three years despite the Note7 recall

Despite the Galaxy Note7 recall, Samsung reported its best operating profit in three years thanks to strong sales of display panels and chipsets.

  • 17 January 2017: Battery cited as the main cause of fires

Reuters claims that the battery is the main cause of the fires and expects Samsung to reveal the official findings on 23 January.

  • 20 January 2017: Samsung confirms press conference on 23 January

Samsung officially confirmed that it will be announcing the findings of the investigation on 23 January.

  • 20 January 2017: The Wall Street Journal spills the beans on the findings of the investigation

The Wall Street Journal reports that "irregularly-sized" batteries and unknown "manufacturing issues" are the two main causes of the fires.

  • 23 January 2017: Aggressive battery design caused Note7's demise; this is how Samsung will prevent it from happening again

Samsung has finally concluded official investigations with third-party industry expert organizations. Here is their official explanation for its failure and how the company is taking all measures possible to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.