Samsung To Dole Out Galaxy Note 7 Deathblow

The end is near. Samsung announced on Friday (Dec. 9) that a forthcoming software update for Galaxy Note 7s will brick the smartphone model.

The software update will start to roll out starting on Dec. 19. Samsung said the software update, which will be distributed within 30 days, will be designed to prevent Galaxy Note 7 devices in the U.S. from charging, effectively eliminating the troubled smartphone model’s ability to function as mobile devices.

Samsung will be working with its carrier partners to notify consumers — with the exception of Verizon, said Reuters — to encourage any remaining Galaxy Note 7 owners to participate in the smartphone return program. Consumers who have a Galaxy Note 7 device can either exchange their phone for another Samsung model or receive a refund.

Verizon reportedly said it would not take part in the update to protect Galaxy Note 7 users who do not have another device to switch to. As of now, Samsung reports that over 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices had been returned as a part of the U.S. exchange program.

Samsung recalled 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 Phones back in September after it was discovered that the phone’s battery unit had the nasty tendency to overheat and catch fire.

Then, in October, it was found that at least four of the replacement Note phones had also caught on fire. One phone ignited moments before the airplane it was on left the ground, leading to a U.S. Transportation Department ban of the smartphone model on all flights or in checked baggage.

Samsung announced back in October of this year that the tech giant would permanently pull the Galaxy Note 7 phone from the market. The company’s U.S. unit is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of three former Galaxy Note 7 owners representing the Samsung customers who experienced phone troubles.