Exploding Galaxy Note 7 causes $1,400 worth of damage to hotel room

Samsung confirmed the global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 last week. The company said that as of September 1 it received 35 reports from across the globe of the battery in its latest flagship exploding while it was being charged. The first case of an exploding Galaxy Note 7 was reported in Australia a few days after the recall was announced, it ended up causing $1,400 worth of damage to a hotel room that the owner was staying in.

The owner of this Galaxy Note 7 goes by the username Crushader on Reddit. He explains that this happened when the phone was on the bed and was plugged in to charge overnight. “To me it was an explosion, a small one. It fizzed and then phone pop open, flame and smoke follow, almost had a panic attack sight to see waking up,” he wrote on Reddit, adding that the phone is completely fried and even the SIM or SD card can’t be retrieved. He does clarify that the original charge and cable were being used to charge the Galaxy Note 7. The handset charred the bed sheet and carpet when it was whacked down to the floor, Crushader burnt one of his fingers in the process. The hotel estimated the damages were worth around $1,400 and charged him for it.

Samsung has confirmed that this is one of the first two cases of an exploding Galaxy Note 7 reported in Australia. It has already recalled all 51,060 devices shipped to customers in Australia since the launch. The owner of this device got in touch with Samsung afterwards, they gave him a Galaxy J1 as a loaner until he gets a replacement for the fried Galaxy Note 7, and the company has also said that it’s going to cover the hotel damages for him.

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T-Mobile’s faster LTE network only works on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge currently

Over the past few years T-Mobile US has taken a number of steps to increase its competitiveness in the country’s LTE market. For this purpose, it rolled out 2 channel carrier aggregation back in 2014 and has since rolled out 3 channel carrier aggregation as well for even faster data speeds. These advanced network technologies are available to T-Mobile customers in more than 425 cities across the United States who experience typical download speeds of 7-40 Mbps.

T-Mobile announced yesterday that it was amping up its LTE network technology yet again to provide a 2x speed boost. The 4×4 MIMO technology basically doubles the number of data paths between a cell site and a compatible smartphone which results in double the speed. T-Mobile has rolled out 4×4 MIMO in 319 cities across the country and currently the only devices that support it are the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

The Galaxy Note 7 has support for 4×4 MIMO on T-Mobile as well. Those who own the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge on T-Mobile will receive a software update later this month which will enable them to take advantage of faster LTE speeds and T-Mobile will later roll out this update to more handsets.

The carrier has also launched 256 QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) technology which increases the number of bits delivered per transmission to provide even faster speeds. When combined with 4×4 MIMO it provides download speeds of up to 400 Mbps. This technology will be supported on every single T-Mobile cell site across the United States by the end of next month. Again, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge will be the first devices to get support for 256 QAM via a software update in October.

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Samsung to use colors to its advantage for reigniting Galaxy Note 7 sales momentum

Samsung has got a lot of bad press recently following its decision to recall the Galaxy Note 7 globally. The recall will likely have an impact on future sales of the Galaxy Note 7 as well because potential customers might lose confidence in the device. Samsung has taken steps to fix the battery cell issue that caused some Galaxy Note 7 handsets to explode and it’s going to provide replacement inventory by next week. A report out of Korea suggests that the company will now use the range of colors it offers the Galaxy Note 7 in to its advantage for reigniting sales momentum for its latest flagship.

The company is reportedly going to launch the Black Onyx Galaxy Note 7 in South Korea next month. There has been significant demand for this color already and Samsung is believed to have excluded it from the range of colors offered in Korea initially to have something fresh to present to the public when the new iPhone arrives. Samsung always has different color strategies for different markets. With the Galaxy Note 7, it’s holding off on the Gold Platinum for the United States, Silver Titanium for China and the beautiful Coral Blue for India.

Sales of the Galaxy Note 7 have been suspended globally following the recall announcement but Samsung is expected to resume sales in a couple of weeks. It remains to be seen when these color options will be launched in these lucrative markets but it’s too soon to say whether or not they will achieve the aim that Samsung is hoping for.

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The FAA may ban the Galaxy Note 7 from being taken on board public aircraft

It look like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of deciding whether to ban the Galaxy Note 7 from being taken on board aircraft following Samsung’s decision to recall the device after it found that a faulty battery was the reason for a few handsets exploding while on charge.

Obviously, the last thing you want is for your shiny new smartphone to catch fire while on board a contained airplane, which is the FAA is determining whether to take advantage of its right to restrict any battery-powered device that has been subject to a recall from being carried onto public flights.

It’s worth nothing that the FAA hasn’t come to a decision just yet as it’s still mulling over the details. However, I think it’s pretty safe to say that the handset poses a threat to flight safety. For this reason, I expect the Galaxy Note 7 to be added to the list of items prohibited on aircrafts in the very near future.

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Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime to be introduced in India soon, price leaks ahead of launch

Samsung introduced a beefed-up variant of the Galaxy J7 (2016) in Vietnam last week. The Galaxy J7 Prime offers higher memory, a better front-facing camera, a metal unibody, and a fingerprint scanner over the Galaxy J7 (2016). Now, the South Korean smartphone giant is prepping to launch the device in India.

According to the usually reliable Indian mobile phone retailer Manish Khatri, Samsung will soon launch the Galaxy J7 Prime in India with a MOP of INR 18,790 ($282). The device will be sold alongside the Galaxy J7 (2016) and the Galaxy J7. The Galaxy J7 Prime features a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 13-megapixel primary camera with 1080p video recording, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 3,300 mAh battery.

It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and features dual-SIM card slot, LTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, NFC, and a microUSB port. The Galaxy J7 Prime that is being sold in Vietnam comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, but Samsung has decided to limit the internal storage to just 16GB in the Indian variant for some reason. Why do you do this, Samsung?

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Samsung Galaxy Folder 2 leaked once again

This is becoming comical now. Almost every other day we’re seeing leaked pictures of the Galaxy Folder 2 and it’s the same story today. More images of the Galaxy Folder 2 have been leaked online today and these are some of the finest we’ve seen yet. They offer us a very good look at Samsung’s upcoming flip phone.

It’s expected that Samsung’s new flip phone will be powered by a 1.4Ghz Qualcomm processor hooked up to 2GB RAM and 8GB of expandable storage. Aside from its 8-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front camera, the handset is also going to feature a 3.8-inch display. The 2,000mAh battery and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow will complete the package. Samsung releases flip phones in limited markets and all signs point to the likelihood that the Galaxy Folder 2 will only be launched in China. Despite all of these leaks Samsung still hasn’t confirmed when the Galaxy Folder 2 is going to be leaked. No word as yet on the price but given that its predecessor was priced below $300 that’s likely going to be the case this time around as well.

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The Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active is simply head-turning

I’ve spent the last few weeks with the Galaxy S7 Active, loving the battery life and ruggedness, not to mention the world-class cameras and gorgeous Super AMOLED display. While battery life is king in Samsung’s Active series, there is a new area in which Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Active is setting a new trend: that is, the head-turning form factor.

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Active, S5 Active, and S6 Active have all been top-notch smartphones in their own right. With the exception of Samsung’s flirtation with LCD panels in the first-gen. Galaxy S4 Active, the Korean giant has gone with AMOLED panels (a wise decision). Battery life, with the exception of the S4 Active (the LCD panel is partially at fault here), has been stellar on the S5 Active and S6 Active. The Galaxy S7 Active doesn’t disappoint here, either.

While our review is almost ready for primetime, I can say that you can text on Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Skype, Google Hangouts, and other messaging apps, while surfing the Web and shooting photos, and still get well over 10 hours SOT on a single charge. I’ve also gotten as much as 2.5 days of battery life with over 8 hours SOT – so the battery life is still king in the Galaxy S7 Active. That’s yet another thing, along with the gorgeous AMOLED panel, that remains unchanged (thankfully).

What has changed in the Galaxy S7 Active, though, is that Samsung has introduced a new, Sandy Gold color with this year’s model that hasn’t existed on any other Active phone to date – and it is sexy.

I know, I know, when I tell you this you find it hard to believe. We’ve all been horrified by the “Desert Camo” (officially known as Sandy Gold) color of the device, and we’ve even said that the Camo Green is the better color option between the two. Well, I don’t know about my colleagues, but I definitely ate my words when my Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active arrived at my doorstep. The front panel of the device is highly reminiscent of the Gold Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, while the back of the device is of a much nicer design than that of the camo patterns of past and present Active models.

I was told when I purchased the device that “the Titanium Gray model looks much better,” but I disagree. The Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active is simply head-turning, stunning, elegant, vulnerable and strong, all at the same time. And, keep in mind that the Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active doesn’t have the camo print that exists on the Camo Green model. So, if you think that an attractive handset doesn’t have a “noisy” camo print design on its back (I’m in agreement here), then the Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active is the 2016 Active smartphone for you.  I highly suggest that if you’re buying the Galaxy S7 Active, get the gold one.

Samsung surprised us here with the look of this handset. Pictures don’t do it justice, but every Active smartphone has been perceived as being functional rather than both functional and fashionable. The common understanding (or perhaps, misunderstanding, I should interject) is that the Active smartphone series is designed for those who “don’t care about their smartphone’s design and looks.” C’mon, you know you’ve heard this statement before. Well, the Korean giant is looking to change this perception with the new Sandy Gold option.

Before you decide it’s too “gaudy” for your tastes, head on over to your local retail store and take a look at it. The ribbed design on the front panel that many have said looks like the soy ink box design the company formerly shipped products in once upon a time is overemphasized in photos and screenshots; you can’t properly evaluate how obnoxious or subtle the design is until you see it.

We’ll have our SamMobile Galaxy S7 Active review out by week’s end, but for now, it needs to be said: the Sandy Gold Galaxy S7 Active is sexy, sexy, sexy. It looks good, performs well, and brings the same quality cameras, display, and even has the same speaker placement of the Galaxy Note 5. Samsung is killing the function/fashion divide with the Galaxy S7 Active. Now, if they could only work on the AT&T carrier exclusivity…

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Samsung launches IMEI check in China and Hong Kong to replace faulty Galaxy Note 7 units

Samsung has issued a voluntary recall of all Galaxy Note 7 units that it has shipped since the handset was released. The company has said that it’s going to provide replacement inventory within two weeks. The recall is due to a battery cell issue identified in the Galaxy Note 7 and apparently Samsung SDI’s batteries are at fault. Samsung’s battery affiliate meets 70 percent of the battery cell demand for the Galaxy Note 7 whereas the remaining demand is met by China’s ATL.

The Galaxy Note 7 recall does not affect customers in China as the majority of units shipped to the People’s Republic and Hong Kong use ATL’s batteries. To be absolutely sure that there are no potentially faulty units in the hands of customers, Samsung has launched an online IMEI check tool through which users can determine if they need to get their unit replaced. The IMEI check tool is only meant for customers in China, Hong Kong and Macau, if you bought your unit from anywhere else it won’t be of any help to you.

Those who find that the IMEI number of their device is in the affected IMEI number range can then get in touch with Samsung’s authorized re-sellers and distributors to claim their free replacement of the Galaxy Note 7. Customers also have the option to claim a refund for whatever they spent on the Galaxy Note 7 if they are no longer confident about the device and don’t wish to use it anymore.

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Dubious images of the Galaxy A5 (2017) metal shell leaked

We exclusively confirmed about a week ago that Samsung is now working on the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 (2017). The 2016 iteration of the Galaxy A series was released nine months ago so it’s time for the series to be refreshed. We’ve reported on purported specifications of the Galaxy A5 (2017) previously and now some dubious images of the handset’s metal shell have been leaked online.

Since the existing Galaxy A series already features a premium metal and glass build it won’t be surprising for anyone if the 2017 iteration of this series toes the same line. Additional improvements may include the addition of a USB Type-C port as well as water and dust resistance certification much like the one you get wth the Galaxy S7 series. As far as the specifications are concerned, the Galaxy A5 (2017) is expected to feature a 5.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display with an Exynos 7880 processor and 3GB RAM. Samsung is yet to reveal when it intends on refreshing the Galaxy A series of premium mid-range handsets.

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Gear S3 release date is November 4

Samsung unveiled the Gear S3 smartwatch about a week ago but it’s yet to formally confirm pricing and availability information for this device. It did provide a suggested retail price of €399 in Europe but didn’t say when the smartwatch is going to be released. A tweet from the Samsung Netherlands official Twitter account mentions that the Gear S3 release date has now been decided and that it’s going to be out on November 4.

It’s likely that this release date just might be for the European market so check with your local Samsung arm to get precise information about release dates and prices. Major carriers in the United States have already confirmed that they will carry the LTE-compatible Gear S3 frontier and that it’s going to be released later this year but they have not provided any pricing details yet. From the looks of it, Samsung is going to make everyone wait for about a month or so before it decides to release its latest and greatest smartwatch.

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SamMobile is looking for a news author based in the US

Here at SamMobile, we are dedicated to bringing our readers the latest scoop on everything related to Samsung’s mobile devices, and we are currently looking to hire a news author that can contribute towards that end. If you’re a fan/user of Samsung devices and have the writing skills to, well, write about them, then this could be your chance to get in on the internet’s largest (and most accurate) source of Samsung news, leaks and rumors.

We are looking for a news author based in the US, for contributing in regular work hours in the country’s time zone and also at other times, whenever possible! As a SamMobile writer, you will get access to US-only Samsung events, in addition to getting to cover all the news happening in the region. The author position is paid, and you must meet the following requirements:

• First and foremost, you must have a good command of the English language. We cannot emphasize this enough – occasional errors are acceptable, but you must have the basic grammar skills that are expected from any writer/reporter. Hint: if you have habits such as writing twitter instead of Twitter, it’s probably best not to apply.
• A passion for Samsung devices and news. You don’t need to own a Samsung device, but you should have an idea of what has been going on in the world of Samsung’s many different mobile products.
• Free time to contribute 1-3 articles each day. There is no set time for when you can write, but if you think you won’t be available for, let’s say, two or three days in the week, it’s probably best to not apply in the first place. Weekends are not mandatory.
• Prior experience writing for any technology website, preferably mobile-related. This isn’t a requirement, but would be a bonus.
• WordPress knowledge.

Think you meet the above requirements? If yes, then send in an email to am@sammobile.com and dd@sammobile.com with News Author as the subject and the following details:

• An article on the Galaxy Note 7′s official announcement. Don’t simply make this an article that lists out its specs and features; try and make it interesting instead!
• A regular news article based on this source, in your own words: Galaxy Note 7 recall will reportedly be announced soon
• The device you’re currently using (doesn’t need to be a Samsung device).
• Your location, and the time frame you will be available in.
• Links to articles you may have written on other websites, if any.

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Samsung patent envisions Galaxy phone running Android and Windows simultaneously

There’s something fascinating about mobile devices that are capable of switching between different operating systems. In practice, those hardly ever work out, though. For example, Samsung’s dual boot tablet Ativ Q was introduced, but never made it to the market. Still, Samsung has not given up on the idea, as testified by the publication of a patent application filed long after the Ativ Q was scrapped.

In South Korea, a patent was published today that describes a Galaxy-like phone running both Windows and Android simultaneously. In fact, switching between the systems is much like switching between, or working with, multiple apps in Samsung’s Multi Window feature as implemented in current Galaxy phones.

The patent application, filed in May 2015, shows how both operating systems can be displayed in two windows, enabling the user to drag and drop files between them. It is possible to minize one OS to a floating icon, in the same way an application can be minimized in the current TouchWiz UX. Pressing the Home button brings the user back to the Android home screen.

Furthermore, resources can be managed by assigning processor cores and limiting memory usage per OS. Also, shared folders can be set, to provide access to files from both operating systems.

All in all, Samsung envisions a mobile device with two highly interwoven operating systems, giving the user the best of both worlds, at least on paper. Of course, we need to point out there is no indication that Samsung is actually planning to launch a dual boot Galaxy phone any time soon, so don’t get your hopes up for a Galaxy S8 running both Windows and Android. Still, this is without a doubt one of the more interesting directions Samsung could take its multi window feature in the future. If nothing else, it is the application that justifies putting 6GB or RAM, or more, in a mobile phone.

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[Poll] Will you replace, exchange or get a refund for your Galaxy Note 7

By now you will be well aware that Samsung has issued a voluntary recall of the Galaxy Note 7 due to a battery cell issue it has identified. Samsung is going to voluntarily replace all Galaxy Note 7 units it has shipped out since the release on August 19. Customers have the option to get a full refund if they no longer feel confident about the Galaxy Note 7. In some markets, Samsung is even allowing customers to exchange the Galaxy Note 7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge immediately. Vote below and let us know the course of action you’re going to take, and discuss why you’re choosing that option in the comments below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Samsung pushes out September security patch for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in Europe

Samsung has today started rolling the September security patch to all factory unlocked variants of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge in Europe. The upgrade, which carries the firmware version XXU1BPHJ, also transports the revamped Gallery application that made its debut appearance on board the Galaxy Note 7, in addition to compatibility for Samsung Cloud.

What’s a little strange about this particular update is that it’s the first time the South Korean company has distributed a Security Maintenance Release (SMR) without first detailing the full changelog over on its official blog. This, unfortunately, means that we don’t know what changes the September firmware brings. However, we’ve reached out to Samsung for information on the matter, and will be sure to update this post with additional information as soon as we have it.

In the meantime, if you’d like to see if the upgrade ready for your device, simply head into Settings, followed by About Device, locate and select Software Update, then hit the Download Updates Manually button. Alternatively, you can wait until you receive a push notification prompting you to install the update from Samsung’s servers.

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SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus will offer a full refund to every Galaxy Note 7 customer

Last Friday, Samsung announced a global recall of the Galaxy Note 7 after it found that faulty batteries were the reason for a few handsets catching fire while on charge. To compensate for the inconvenience, the firm revealed that it would allow owners to swap in their device for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge at any of its service centers. However, T-Mobile went the extra step and gave its customers in the United States the option to receive a full refund instead of a new smartphone.

South Korea’s three largest operators, SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus have all decided to follow in T-Mo’s footsteps as they have today announced that they will also be reimbursing customers the retail price of the Galaxy Note 7. Unfortunately, those willing to take advantage of this opportunity will have to contact their respective carrier before Monday, September 19. If they fail to do so and decide to reach out at a later date, they will only be entitled to a replacement unit.

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