Refurbished Galaxy Note 7 Launching With Different Moniker After Passing Through FCC?

Samsung is set to relaunch the Galaxy Note 7 next month after fixing its faulty battery issue. However, the South Korea giant may be planning to introduce the refurbished models onto the market under a different name.

This Friday, SamMobile learned that the reconditioned Galaxy Note 7 has already passed through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) certification process. Three variants with model numbers SM-N935K, SM-N935L and SM-N935S have received certification from the agency, and this could only mean that the refurbished models are now closer than ever to their official relaunch.

Samsung has previously stated that it will be selling the refurbished units of the Galaxy Note 7 in its home country. The three variants that reportedly got the approval from the FCC were even revealed to be South Korea-exclusive models. The SM-N935S is said to be the SK Telecom variant, while the SM-N935K and the SM-N935L are believed to be the models for Korean telecommunications companies KT and LG Uplus (LG U +).

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Unfortunately, there’s no hope for U.S.-based consumers to get their hands on the rehabilitated Galaxy Note 7 handsets. In March, Apple’s biggest rival already revealed its decision to not offer the “refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices for rent or for sale in the U.S.” While Samsung did not indicate why it is not relaunching the phablet in the country, some have speculated that the decision could have been influenced by the highly negative press the company got in the U.S. when the exploding Note 7 issue surfaced.

To ensure that the Galaxy Note 7 will no longer pose a threat to users, Samsung has come up with a smaller 3200mAh battery for the Android 7.0 Nougat-running device. The original one came with a larger 3500mAh battery, but that one proved to be problematic. Also, it’s very likely that the handset will relaunch with a different moniker, but no information about it has surfaced as of this time.

In late-March, Samsung issued a statement to The Verge, telling the site that the new name and other details about the reconditioned phablet will be announced when it’s time to finally relaunch it. “The product details including the name, technical specification and price range will be announced when the device is available,” the company stated after admitted that the reason it is reselling the previously defunct smartphone was to “reduce and minimize any environmental impact.”

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Samsung has a three-step process in dealing with the millions and millions of recalled Galaxy Note 7 units. The first one is, of course, selling the refurbished handsets. The second one is salvaging usable components like the cameras and semiconductors of the devices. The last one is extracting metal parts with the help of third-party “eco-friendly” companies.

Meanwhile, it was revealed early this week that the Note 7’s successor, the Galaxy Note 8, will unlikely be the first Samsung phone to come with a dual-camera setup on the back. The distinction is believed to go to either the rumored foldable Galaxy X or an upcoming Galaxy C handset. Because of this, it is believed that the Galaxy X could overshadow the Note 8 not only because of its possible dual-camera module, but also due to its unique form factor and more advanced technology.