Verizon won't be rolling out Samsung Galaxy Note 7 shutdown update

Earlier today, Samsung confirmed that it will issue an update on Dec. 19 to all remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones in the US. The update will prevent the  device’s battery from charging, which will of course make the phone useless. As it turns out, one major US carrier won’t be rolling out that update: Verizon Wireless.

In a statement, Verizon said the reason for its decision was that it feels Samsung’s update will put the few remaining Note 7 owners at “added risk” if they cannot quickly switch to another phone. It added:

We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.

Verizon notes that the “vast majority” of its Note 7 owners have already turned in the recalled phone for another model and repeated its call for all those users to “immediately stop using their devices” and turn them in or exchange it for another phone. It’s very interesting move on Verizon’s part, and it makes sense they don’t want any of their users to be stranded if the Note 7 is their only phone. Then again, these users have been warned multiple times that they should return the phone, so some might argue that this update is necessary in order to get the remaining hold-out users onboard.

If you are a Note 7 owner with Verizon, how do you feel about the carrier taking a stand against offering Samsung’s shutdown update?