Galaxy Note 7 Update Will Limit Charge To 60%

[DroidModderX]

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It turns out that Samsung will not be totally bricking Note 7 devices to prevent further explosions. With more than 70 reported cases of Note 7 devices catching fire in the US alone extreme measures need to be taken. Therefore it wouldn't be entirely unjustified for Samsung to remotely disable devices. There were other reports today that Samsung would be sending out an OTA update in Korea to limit the charge of the device to 60% preventing batteries from overcharging. Apparently this update will only be hitting Korean variants for now.

Samsung had this to say on the matter:

In the U.S., Samsung is continuing to work with the CPSC and our carrier partners to develop and evaluate solutions that are best for US Note7 owners. No action will be taken without the approval of the CPSC. Customer safety remains our top priority.

There are reports of Note 7 devices exploding without being plugged up to a charger. An update which disables charging after 60% is reached might actually cause a false sense of security? What are your thoughts? Would you feel safer using your device until your replacement is available if this update was sent to your device? Do you think devices should be bricked via OTA to ensure they don't randomly explode. Sound off in the comments below.

via Forbes

Thanks Preach2K

 

[FoxKat]

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It turns out that Samsung will not be totally bricking Note 7 devices to prevent further explosions. With more than 70 reported cases of Note 7 devices catching fire in the US alone extreme measures need to be taken. Therefore it wouldn't be entirely unjustified for Samsung to remotely disable devices. There were other reports today that Samsung would be sending out an OTA update in Korea to limit the charge of the device to 60% preventing batteries from overcharging. Apparently this update will only be hitting Korean variants for now.

Samsung had this to say on the matter:



There are reports of Note 7 devices exploding without being plugged up to a charger. An update which disables charging after 60% is reached might actually cause a false sense of security? What are your thoughts? Would you feel safer using your device until your replacement is available if this update was sent to your device? Do you think devices should be bricked via OTA to ensure they don't randomly explode. Sound off in the comments below.

via Forbes

Thanks Preach2K

Again, OTA bricking could not be undertaken by Samsung unless a court order were executed to do so. If Samsung took it upon themselves to do such a thing there could be much wider and more devastating consequences for the owners of these devices AND for Samsung. That's not to say that such a court order isn't coming. The CPSC is still investigating, and has not yet released a formal recall. When and if that happens, a very likely consequence, then we will see if such an order is given.

The OTA update to reduce the charging to a 60% cap is something they can do because doesn't render the phones inoperative. This stopgap measure makes sense since it's likely based on my understanding of how these batteries operate, how they're charged, how they're manufactured and how the rapid charging works.

These shunts (internal shorts), are typically created during charging, and at the top of the charging cycle (near 100%), more so than during the middle of the charging cycle (20-60%). The exception to this is when rapid charging, since the current rates are much higher and this creates greater heat at the Anode, which can exacerbate the creation of shunts. By reducing the top charge to 60% rather than 100% the risk of creating shunts decreases dramatically. I suspect that the charging rate will also be reduced to minimize heating of the battery which will also dramatically reduce the risk of shunts during the first 60% as well.

Many here know me as having long been a staunch advocate of slow charging, not draining the batteries to below 15-20%, and not charging above 80% when able, in order to prolong the life of the battery. Also, I've said that by keeping your charging and discharging range even tighter, the battery life can be extended even more. This fits well with that position and with the reported failures while charging.

The recall currently being undertaken is a Volunteer recall decided upon by Samsung and their legal team. Once the CPSC releases their recommendation this will be much clearer.

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