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Samsung's Note 7 reportedly making comeback... with a smaller battery

The refurbished devices would allegedly arrive as early as June.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Watch this: The return of the Galaxy Note 7?


Samsung might not be done with the Galaxy Note 7 after all, according to The Investor, citing "unnamed Samsung sources."

The company is rumored to sell refurbished Note 7 models with smaller batteries. Samsung is estimated to have lost $5 billion total from recalling and then stopping production of the Galaxy Note 7 after two separate battery flaws caused some units to catch fire. Selling refurbished models that avoid these internal errors could help the tech giant recoup some losses.

The refurbished Note 7 phones -- which might also have a smaller case size in addition to a shrunken battery -- could arrive as soon as June, according to the report. It isn't clear which markets would receive the phones.

Meanwhile, Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy S8, its first phone since the Note 7 disaster. The Galaxy S8 battery will have undergone a new eight-point test, Samsung vowed, along with every future phone. Samsung mobile chief DJ Koh also confirmed the CNET that the company is on track to release a "very innovative" Note 8.

Samsung declined to comment on the rumor.

Updated at 3:12pm with Samsung's decision not to comment.