Samsung has been adamant about the recall of problematic Galaxy Note 7 devices after a very strained stint with exploding units, which resulted in a number of blunders, chief of which is the total cancellation of the device in the production line, with other collateral damages such as an airport ban tagging along.
As the company attempts to herd all Galaxy Note 7 units into its turf, recent reports suggest that Samsung might be recalling the wrong devices.
Samsung Tries To Recall A Galaxy Note 4
Redditor dominicedcel shared a screenshot over the Android subreddit about a cautionary notification he received from Samsung, trying to coax him to return his device.
While this isn't a major surprise given Samsung is in the process of pulling all Galaxy Note 7 devices to avoid any more incidents of combusting units, the Redditor's device wasn't actually a Galaxy Note 7, but a Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung doesn't deserve the blame wholesale, though, since the Galaxy Note 4 device was in fact running a Note 7 ROM, a complex tweak only a number consummate Android tinkerers are capable of doing.
While the incident might be ample fodder for another laughingstock situation for Samsung, it does impend a potential problem in its recall for Galaxy Note 7 devices. Flashing a Note 7 ROM onto older Galaxy devices are lapsing Samsung's ability to accurately detect Galaxy Note 7 devices still out in the wild, making it harder for the company to locate actual problematic devices instead of safe and functional ones.
Rendering Note 7 Devices Dysfunctional Via Updates
For stubborn owners still keeping hold of their Galaxy Note 7 units all things considered, Samsung has opted for an alternative route, blocking features of the phone via updates. In fact, it has began blocking recalled Galaxy Note 7 units from connecting to mobile networks in New Zealand recently.
There's also been reports that Samsung is enforcing a 60 percent cap on the Galaxy Note 7's battery to prevent it from overcharging and potentially doing what it's infamously known for.
It's not hard to imagine that Samsung might also begin enforcing other austerity measures to perfectly functioning phones flashed with a Note 7 ROM, potentially barring some features on working phones because they're tagged by the company as potential hazards due to its software.
The Galaxy Note 7 situation has been quite a dispiriting turn for Samsung, which has already suffered significant losses and has already issued an apology in light of the incident. It's unclear whether Samsung will be able to identify which units are legitimate Galaxy Note 7 devices or older devices simply running a Note 7 ROM, but if you have an older Galaxy Note device running a Note 7 ROM, it's best to correct that situation immediately if you don't want the company to potentially block a number of features on your phone.
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel or Samsung's other flagship pair, the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, are worthy replacements for the Galaxy Note 7, if ever you're on the hunt for one.
