First came the rumors, then photos, and then the recall. Now we’ve got a second round of explosions, this time from at least one device labelled “safe.” So if you want to cut and run from your Galaxy Note 7 experience, I don’t really blame you.
Luckily, most networks are working with customers to get them other, less explosive devices for free. Here’s everything you need to know.
DON’T MISS: Under no circumstances should you buy a Galaxy Note 7
Sprint
Sprint was the first carrier to announce unconditional replacements for any customers with a Note 7. “If a Sprint customer with a replacement Note 7 has any concerns regarding their device, we will exchange it for any other device at any Sprint retail store during the investigation window,” a Sprint representative told Recode.
The return policy will presumably get customers the full retail price of the phone towards another device, and given the big sticker price on a Note 7, customers should be able to pick up just about any other smartphone.
T-Mobile
While T-Mobile doesn’t have a specific policy in place for Note 7 devices, the company also told Recode that customers with a Note 7 can use T-Mobile’s standard 14-day “remorse” policy to return or exchange their phone. The 14-day period starts from when customers picked up their replacement Note 7 devices, so most people should still be covered under that window.
AT&T
AT&T followed Sprint’s lead, telling The Verge that customers with a Note 7 can bring their phones into a store and exchange them for any other smartphone. There’s no specified window on how long you have to bring your device in, but given the ongoing investigation by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, it’s not likely to end any time soon.
Verizon
Verizon hasn’t fully outlined its exchange program, but it has committed to exchanging devices. In a statement, a Verizon spokesperson told BGR “for any Verizon customer concerned about the safety of their replacement Note7 smartphone, they will be able to exchange it for an alternate smartphone. We will provide additional details later today.”
The major networks allowing unlimited exchanges of devices isn’t a good sign for Samsung. While the phone manufacturer has declined to issue another recall of Note 7 devices, pending the investigation of the recent Note 7 fire on a Southwest airplane, unlimited exchanges isn’t a vote of much confidence.
Presumably, if Samsung issues a recall, all the exchanged Note 7 devices being held onto by networks will be taken back by Samsung, so the cost won’t rest with networks.
