Many users are curious as to what former Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners are picking up as their main driver following the return of their possible defective devices. Are customers fleeing from Samsung? Are they running to another Android brand? Or are they leaving Android altogether and heading over to the iPhone? According to comments made by Sprint’s CEO, Marcelo Claure, during a recent conference call, most of their Galaxy Note 7 customers are opting for the Samsung Galaxy S7 – proving loyal to both Android and Samsung.
T-Mobile operating chief Mike Sievert said that while many of their Galaxy Note 7 users are opting for another Samsung smartphone, many are clearly of the attitude to go with another Android device or the iPhone. He explained that when you have such a large pool of customers, you are bound to have a wide array of decisions occurring. Many customers hate the drama and waiting, so they moved on to another device after the first recall. There was no clear indication when Samsung would have replacements out, and the thought of setting up a replacement device and then setting up another Galaxy Note 7 down the road was just not worth doing. Those that did wait and receive a replacement Note 7 are now being told to return that one as well and pick again might be just angry enough to skip Samsung altogether and venture into the Apple orchard.
Cash incentives is another reason that many Samsung Galaxy Note 7 users have decided to stay with the Samsung brand. First, they offered $25 for the first exchange (for the inconvenience of having to go through the process the first time), as well as allowing Galaxy Note 7 users to keep their ‘freebies’ they received. Then during the second recall, Samsung was offering $100 credit to the Galaxy Note 7 returner, if they picked up either the Galaxy S7 or the S7 Edge. In Sprint stores, this is the option selected the most, according to Claure.
Whichever device customers select, it does seem to be the case that Samsung is planning to come out with a new Galaxy Note 8 in 2017. There was some talk of whether the company would get rid of the ‘Note’ moniker or eliminating the device altogether. Although, it does seem that the Galaxy Note series is too valuable to stop producing. Either way, it stands to reason that the next edition will probably be the most carefully made and tested device of 2017.