Samsung may have discontinued the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone earlier this month after a massive recall linked to reports that the devices had the tendency to overheat and explode, but that doesn’t mean the tech company is ready to throw in the towel on the entire Galaxy Note line. In fact, a new report suggests the company is still planning a new version of the devices and offering customers in South Korea a discount if they stick around.
Reuters, citing a Samsung press release from its home country of South Korea, reports that the company is attempting to retain customers there with a trade-in offer that includes a discounted Galaxy Note 8 when it launches sometime next year.
Under the program, customers who currently own a recalled Galaxy Note 7 can trade it in for the phone for a Galaxy S7 — either flat screen or curved screen version. Then when the currently unannounced Galaxy Note 8 becomes available, the customers can trade-in for the Galaxy S8 or Note 8.
Those who choose to take part in the program will pay half price for the Galaxy S7, Samsung said in the statement.
It’s unclear if Samsung plans to offer the program in other markets outside of South Korea. A rep told Reuters that it would depend on “the situation in each country.”
The Verge points out that Samsung already launched some incentive programs for customers in the U.S., offering owners of the now-defunct Note 7 a $24 credit if they refund the recalled device or exchanged it for another smartphone. If they stick with a Samsung phone, the credit increases to $100.
Still, analysts tell Reuters that the company will need to offer more attractive incentives to keep customers happy, and to make up for the estimated $5.4 billion loss tied to the Note 7 recall.
Samsung offers upgrade program for South Korea Note 7 customers [Reuters]
Samsung promises Korean Note 7 owners a 50 percent discount on the Note 8 [The Verge]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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