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Samsung Galaxy Note7 exchange and refund programs around the world

By Cookie Monster - 23 Oct 2016

Samsung Galaxy Note7 exchange and refund programs around the world

Overview

Slightly more than a week after ending production of the Galaxy Note7, Samsung has announced several refund and exchange programs around the world. Just yesterday, Samsung Mobile Singapore shared the full details of the local exchange and refund program.  Are consumers here getting a better deal here compared to the region, the U.K and U.S? Fortunately, one HWZ forum moderator managed to roundup the various refund and exchange programs. Let's check them out: 

Note: The findings below are compiled from a write-up done by HWZ forum member siandiao with additional analysis done by HardwareZone.

Refund/Exchange Programs for S.E.A and China 
 

Country Singapore Malaysia Hong Kong Taiwan China

Phone Refund

S$1,168 

RM2,879.1 
(~S$951)

*pre-order price

Full refund

Full refund

Full refund + 200 yuan (~S$41)

Exchange

Galaxy S7 edge +  S$250 

Galaxy S7 edge + RM300 
(~S$99)

Galaxy S7 edge + Refund of price difference

Galaxy S7 edge, S7 or Galaxy Note 5 + refund of price difference of device + NT$3000 (~S$132) 

Option 1:
Galaxy S7 or S7 edge + refund of price difference + 600 yuan  (~S$123)

Option 2:
Other Samsung models + 300 yuan  (~S$61.50)

For the phone refund, it's safe to assume that consumers in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China are getting back the full amount that they paid for. Although consumers in China get a slightly better deal with additional 200 yuan (~S$41) credit. 

As for the exchange option, consumers in China have more options although the additional credits are less than what consumers get in Singapore. Considering that the Galaxy S7 edge is the next best Samsung phone after the Note7 and that there is a cash cheque of S$250, consumers in Singapore are actually getting the best deal in this region!

 

Refund/Exchange Programs in South Korea, U.K, U.S and Australia
 

Country Singapore South Korea U.K U.S Australia

Phone Refund

S$1,168

Full refund + KRW 30,000 (~S$37 credit)

Full refund

Full refund + up to US$25(~S$35) bill credit 

Full refund

Exchange

Galaxy S7 edge + S$250

Option 1:
Galaxy S7, S7 edge or Note 5 + refund of price difference + KRW 100,000
(~S$123)

Option 2: 
Other Samsung models + KRW 30,000 (~S$37)

Galaxy S7 edge + Refund of price difference

Option 1:

Any other Samsung model + refund of price difference + up to US$100 (~S$139) bill credit 

Option 2:

Any other phone brand + up to US$25 (~S$35) bill credit

Galaxy S7 or S7 edge  + Refund of price difference + additional AU$250 (~S$267) credit

When it comes to a full refund, consumers in South Korea and the U.S get additional credits. For an exchange to the Galaxy S7 and/or S7 edge, Australian consumers  get the best deal as they receive a refund for the price difference as well as a partner specific offer (which is mostly additional credit of AU$250). 
 

Our Recommendations for Singapore consumers

Considering the options, we would recommend Note7 owners to opt for a full refund. With S$1,168 at hand, one can easily get the Galaxy S7 edge at street prices which are lower than the recommended retail price (S$1,098).

For example, the Galaxy S7 edge can be bought for as low as S$680 (if you don't mind a used set) or you can get a brand new set from S$830.  Should you go for the latter option, you will still have plenty of spare change ($338), which is more than what Samsung is offering for the exchanged device with cash option. Here are even more retailer pricing options compared in our Price Guide.

But if you prefer to look out for other new Android flagship models altogether, do check out the other five Android flagship alternatives in this article

For more ongoing updates on this matter and opinions from our forum community on matters related to exchange, temporary replacement sets, and phone options to consider, you'll definitely want to browse this discussion thread with more than 1,000 replies.

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