Samsung to release ‘fandom’ edition of Galaxy Note 7

Samsung plans to release a “fandom” edition of the Galaxy Note 7 that is ostensibly safer to use. The company was hit hard by around 3 million recalls of the Note 7 last October after multiple phones caught fire due to defective batteries that were prone to overheating. Samsung ended production on the device and began a months-long quest to get the device out of users’ hands as it worked out refunds and tried to repair its image.

This new refurbished edition, to be called the Galaxy Note 7 FE, will feature different components than the original device. It will hit stores on July 7th starting in South Korea, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. It’s unclear how many units will be available elsewhere. Analysts told the WSJ that the Note 7 wouldn’t affect sales of the Galaxy S8, which is sporting a new pink version exclusive to Taiwan and has managed not to have its reputation sullied by the Note 7 debacle.

A number of people were reportedly still holding onto their Note 7s in January, despite the recall, either for convenience or sentimentality. So this edition might be a safe alternative for those who have a special place in their heart for the Note 7 and yet don’t want to catch on fire.