As you’ve surely heard by now, the Samsung Galaxy Note7 is in the midst of a global safety recall due to a potentially explosive battery cell. Samsung has announced it will give existing customers the choice of a repair, a full refund or a replacement. But what if you purchased your Note7 through a telco and are still paying it off? Here are the current options for Telstra, Optus and Vodafone customers.
If you were one of the 51,000 odd customers who purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note7 in Australia, you’re probably wondering what to do next. All Note7 owners have been advised to stop using their phones immediately as a safety precaution.
“Samsung Electronics Australia is taking the proactive and voluntary step to recall 51,060 Galaxy Note7 smartphones,” the company’s Australian arm explained in a statement. “The recall is in response to the recent announcement by Samsung Consumer Electronics global regarding isolated battery cell issues with the Galaxy Note7 device.”
But there’s a problem. At the time of writing, Samsung has not shipped new, safe handsets to its partners, nor indicated a time frame for when this will occur. This means you’re basically stuck with a phone you can’t use until further notice. Tch.
Thankfully, Australian telcos have extended an olive branch of sorts to customers who already purchased the Galaxy Note7 on one of their plans. Here’s what representatives from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone had to say:
Telstra
Those who have purchased Note7 from us will be contacted by our specialised team. Samsung has announced an exchange program for Samsung Galaxy Note 7 customers, which will allow you to have your existing device repaired or replaced. Details of this program are yet to be announced but you can upgrade or change your plan to a new mobile and we’ll waive the ETC’s. (You can change to any other phones.)
A pretty solid peace offering, we’re sure you’ll agree. If you wait a few weeks, you might even be able to swap your Note7 for an iPhone 7. (If you’ve been thinking about migrating to iOS, this is as good an excuse as any!)
Optus
Optus customers should visit their local Optus store to discuss their immediate options, which will include a temporary replacement phone if available. The replacement phone will be a Samsung device. Customers are best to discuss specifics with their local store.
Optus is only offering a temporary Samsung device as a stop gap solution, which means you’ll be stuck with an inferior model (albeit one that doesn’t explode.) Better than nothing, we suppose.
Update: Optus has revised its solution to fall in line with Telstra and Vodafone. From the Optus Note7 replacement page: “Customers who do not wish to wait for a replacement Note7 can get a full refund, or change to another phone on a new plan, without incurring cancellations fees.” Hurrah!
Vodafone
Until we receive the confirmation from Samsung, you can take a J1 mini handset from Vodafone store for free to use in the meantime. Or else, you can get the handset changed with any other handset and we’ll adjust the price accordingly.
Like Telstra, Vodafone is allowing its customers to permanently swap to another handset. The only stipulation is that you need to return the Note7. Obviously.
The quickest way to finalise things is to head into a physical retail shop. We’ve included the store locator for each telco below. You’re welcome!
Comments
7 responses to “So You Bought A Samsung Galaxy Note7 On A Mobile Plan: Now What?”
Just return it and get a real phone. An iPhone.
First one to blow up in Australia.
More to come for certain.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/ausdroid.net/2016/09/05/first-australian-samsung-note-7-explodes/amp/?client=safari
plenty of iphones have burnt up also. Below is one from 2nd August this year…
https://9to5mac.com/2016/08/02/iphone-6-fire-cycling-fall-australia/http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/5-on-your-side/iphone-explodes-in-st-peters-mans-pocket/265410117
http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/apple-faa-investigating-after-iphone-catches-fire-mid-flight-n543516
Only 1 in 5 people are buying iphones, and there is no iphone that compares to the note 7, the latest iphone has the specs of the note 5 (previous model)
LOL dude the s7 batteries are fine, and the s7 will destroy the new iphone. besides who wants to use disgusting ios
A real phone? You are aware that Samsung makes the battery most of, if not all of, the iPhones too, right?
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/apple/are-apple-products-truly-designed-in-california-made-in-china-iphonese-3633832/
“Batteries: Samsung in South Korea. Huizhou Desay Battery in China.”
As such, the iPhone is no less vulnerable to explosions than any other brand, even being in the news last month:
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/mobiles/sydney-bike-rider-gareth-clear-left-with-thirddegree-burns-after-iphone-exploded-20160801-gqirdx.html
And even earlier:
https://9to5mac.com/2014/02/03/14yo-schoolgirl-receives-2nd-degree-burns-when-iphone-5c-reportedly-catches-fire-in-her-pocket/
The only manufacturer who appears to have a reliable non-exploding battery is the company that invented mobile phones, and the only real decent phone maker at all price points- Motorola.
Also, to call an iPhone a real smart phone is akin to calling a bicycle with an electric engine attached a “motorcycle”. Sure, you’re not lying, but you’re not entirely right either when comparing it to a Harley Davidson.
HAHAHA this is an Apple Fanboy’s Porn scenario, they were so quick to forget all of the Crapple Issues of the past.
Anyway still disappointing but thats what Samsung gets when they copied the ridiculous phone non-removable battery design.
Had Samsung kept their phones with removable batteries it would have cost them far less than $1bln USD to replace faulty batteries…..sigh…..when will the world learn to stop copying the cult of Appltology :p
Now…….release the onslaught of fanboys crying HAHAHAHA
Telstra offered a Samsung J1 while I wait for Samsung yo send a new replacement to my home. And I get to KEEP the J1. Other option is a loaner S7 Edge which will have to be returned when the replacement Note 7 arrives. Not complaining about free phones! This is in Telstra Melbourne CBD
I pretty solid peace offering from Telstra? This is the last part of the text they sent me yesterday morning.
“…In the coming weeks Samsung will arrange a replacement Note7 for you. In the meantime we’re offering you a loan phone.”
I duly went into the George Street flagship Telstra shop where I bought my phone and they had no knowledge of this. The girl told me in a very defensive manner that the only options were to either cancel your contract or re-contract with another phone. Well that just sucks if you don’t want any other phone and you don’t have a backup. She even went on to imply that Samsung would not replace the phone, that there were no reported incidents in Australia. I told her the bad news on that front and eventually she admitted that they weren’t sure what was happening (still managing being haughty and defensive).
This is the first phone I haven’t bought outright for a long time and I’m so regretting that choice.