The Note 7 is officially dead. Not just philosophically, though I plan to never spend a cent on Samsung again. But not just corporately, though the production is dead, they are taking a $3 billion dollar hit (And not going to have to pay taxes this year. Could even get a refund.), but all Note 7s are mandatory recalled. The brand that Samsung has is now the butt of every tech joke, and I don’t think the Internet is going to forget it any time soon.
I figure I’d share my thoughts and experiences on this whole mess via an op-ed.
To be clear, this is not an Apple or Android conversation. Go here if you want to have that debate.
Here are my experiences so far from the Note 7 failure, both personal and not:
- The original Note 7 had numerous issues with catching fire that included property and personal damage. Initially they did an unofficial recall “until things got too bad” and then made it mandatory. I was still struggling with my Note 4, but I knew I needed to upgrade it.
- Samsung said they “fixed the issue” (though it was leaked they may have known the re-release did not fix the issue) and so I decided to buy one.
- The new Note 7 acted the same way, catching fire. So they recalled them as well and announced they were ending the Note 7 production. Now I feel stupid.
- News came out that Samsung attempted to cover up the issue. This along with such a long history of other unethical issues and I have sworn off Samsung products moving forward. (My wife still uses her S7, but no more money from us)
- It’s a federal crime to take a Note 7 on a plane. I’m going to my sister-in-law’s wedding in less than two weeks. Now I’m frustrated.
- I decided to upgrade to the Google Pixel. The reviews are good. I’d love the Pixel XL but at time of release, they were sold out with new phone dates being mid-November. I wanted to “preorder” it and attempted to go into a Verizon Wireless store. Unfortunately, I sat in the store for an hour without a representative talking with me, missing out on my lunch hour, and not getting the Pixel. Now I’m upset.
- Verizon, my wireless carrier, is giving free overnight shipping to all Note 7 owners. So I ended up changing phones online and therefore not being able to “Preorder” the Pixel.
- Samsung is offering $100 of it’s own money if I upgrade my now worthless Note 7 for a free Samsung alternative. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. No thanks.
I am bitter at Samsung, but I think I have a right to be. I’m upset at Verizon’s terrible customer service, but it’s not the corporation’s fault, just the local store.
Mickey says
I had the Note 7 (the original, then a loaner, then a “fixed one) and now I’m on a Pixel XL and couldn’t be happier.
I miss the S-Pen, but mostly only in theory. It was SUPER handy, but rare; I really only used it a few times per month.
Now I have a phone without all of that Samsung bloatware (along with a faster chip), so it’s way faster than then Note 7. Better camera, nice Google assistant, solid phone. I like it.
Jeremy Smith says
Love it! I’m looking to do a review of the Pixel soon.