If for some reason you still own a Samsung Galaxy Note7 despite its global recall, you've been living dangerously. So Samsung announced it would launch a software update that would disable the phone's ability to charge beyond 60 percent, ultimately killing the phone.
But Verizon said it won't push that update. The company said in a statement on Friday that this would strand users without another phone. Instead, it urged exchanging the device at a Verizon store. It's the only major network to reject Samsung's update.
We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.
Verizon argues the phone, even with its dangerous battery fires, can allow users to make life-saving emergency calls "in the heart of the holiday travel season."
But Samsung has spent months doing damage control, sending fireproof boxes for customers to return the phone after completely shutting down production amid warnings that the FAA wouldn't allow the phone on board.
However, technically, users can still use the Note7 even if they get the final update. It'll just have to be plugged in all the time, rendering it basically a less effective landline that also connects to the Internet. In New Zealand, TechCrunch reports, the phone is cut off from wireless networks entirely.
We always want to do the right thing and make sure our customers are safe.
Meanwhile, the other three major networks, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, have all endorsed the update.
Verizon: We wont brick Note 7s
— Brad Sams (@bdsams) December 9, 2016
Samsung: Ok, so you are taking responsibility of exploding phones now? Sweeeet.
If another fire sparks, this might mean Samsung is off the hook.
