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Samsung Stops Airing Galaxy Note 7 Commercials, Preps Early Launch of Galaxy S8 (sammobile.com) 86

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.
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Samsung Stops Airing Galaxy Note 7 Commercials, Preps Early Launch of Galaxy S8

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

    • Do not underestimate Samsung.
    • 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.

      • subcontractors are responsible

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

        • by fyngyrz ( 762201 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @08:25AM (#52892291) Homepage Journal

          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]

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

            • "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."

            • <quote><p>Unless the fault lies not in the battery, but in the charging circuitry and/or algorithms controlling said circuitry.</p></quote>

              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.
              • 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

          • Comment removed based on user account deletion
          • 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 incorporat
            • 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 [anker.com] 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 ve

              • 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.

          • 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.

    • 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.

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

    • by emil ( 695 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @10:11AM (#52893179)

      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.

      • by eionmac ( 949755 )

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

  • 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.
    • 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. :)

    • 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.
    • ... 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 [kyoceramobile.com] (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. :-)

  • 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 An
    • by Zeio ( 325157 )

      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 w

    • 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.
    • by jeremyp ( 130771 )

      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.

      • by Trogre ( 513942 )

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

      • 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 devic

  • 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.

  • by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @03:20AM (#52891451)

    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.

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

    • 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?

  • 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 [thesun.co.uk] on a table whilst the owner appears to be ordering food.

    It wasn't even being charged at the time.

  • Samsung to limit battery charging on Galaxy Note 7 phones to prevent fires [cnn.com]

    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."

  • 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.

  • Well... (Score:4, Informative)

    by John Smith ( 4340437 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @04:55AM (#52891609)
    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.
  • Ahead of schedule (Score:4, Insightful)

    by jeremyp ( 130771 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @05:37AM (#52891695) Homepage Journal

    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.

    • 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.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • 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.

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

  • 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.
    • by voights ( 919055 )
      Hahaha, nope. They permanently integrated the battery into the phone and it came back to bite them. Bittersweet irony.
    • 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 servic

  • Question (Score:5, Funny)

    by ThatsNotPudding ( 1045640 ) on Thursday September 15, 2016 @06:53AM (#52891921)

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

    Before or after ignition?

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

    • 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 th

      • 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.

  • 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 m
  • 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...

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