Samsung software update will disable Galaxy Note 7 phones completely

Move is intended to render the devices useless in order to prevent any more phones from exploding or catching fire, an issue that led to expansive recall

Samsung's next software update for the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone will render the devices useless in order to prevent any more from catching fire and exploding.

A problem with the device's lithium ion battery led some units to combust, in some cases injuring their owners and causing damage to property. The issues continued even after Samsung recalled, replaced and refunded some of the units, leading to a second more expansive recall of 1.9m devices.