New phones cause new problems

Recently, students and other mobile phone users have experienced quite a few surprises.  This past week, Apple unveiled their newest iPhone, the iPhone 7, to much criticism. Although it is uncertain how well the iPhone 7 will sell, one of Apple’s main competitors is also suffering from its own problems.

The latest in cell phone technology has created mixed reviews on both sides of the technology stratosphere. Technology giants, Samsung and Apple go head-to-head with the release of their new phones, the Galaxy Note 7 and the iPhone 7.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which was released in the middle of August, is considered by many to be one of the main competitors to the iPhone. The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 bolsters several new features. The phone has wireless charging station, a more responsive pen feature, and waterproof housing. The phone is currently selling at $900.

Earlier this month, however, reports of battery malfunction were brought to the attention of Samsung. After review, Samsung found that several of the phones experienced overheating in the battery, resulting in combustion of the phone, causing fire hazards. The potential hazard, although reportedly in only a small number of devices, resulted in an immediate recall from Samsung.

Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America, released a statement that encouraged Note users to immediately power down and return their phones for another device.

“Samsung continues to ensure that consumer safety remains our top priority,” Baxter said. “We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and exchange them now. New Note 7 replacement devices will be issued to exchange program participant upon completion of the CPSC process. In the interim, consumers can return their Note 7 for another device.”

The phone’s deffect has resulted in a number of incidents, including setting a car on fire and burning the skin of a six-year-old child. Some airlines are concerned that the phone is a flight risk and are asking users to power off the phone completely in flight.

If Samsung is able to fix the battery deffect the new Note 7 may be able to compete with the iPhone 7.

The new iPhone features include a bigger battery, more storage, faster performance, and a water resistant housing among many others. The iPhone 7 does not have any reported problems yet, but it has received significant criticism around one new feature: the removal of the headphone jack.

Apple has claimed the removal allows the phone to be more water resistant and include a bigger battery. Apple will give users the option of listening via bluetooth or a headphone adapter. Most people were upset about the removal of the headphone jack, but not everyone saw it as a bad idea.

Senior Jack Roccato said that he thinks the removal of the headphone jack is something to expect in this era of new and advancing technology.

“I want it,” Roccato said. “I think it is a good move to get rid of the headphone jack. It is 2016; get with the times. But I can’t afford it.”

Roccato, who is interested in the new phone, knows that it is a little pricey. The iPhone 7, which will include 32 gigabytes (GB), 124GB, and 256GB options, will start at $649. This is the same price as the basic iPhone 6s, but it will include double the storage of the 6.

Following the announcement Apple saw a small drop in its stock price from $108 per share to $103 per share by the end of of last week. However, the company is still experiencing a strong month in the stock market. Likewise, Samsung, who is traded on the Korean stock market, saw a huge decrease in stock price when it announced its defect, but the stock seems to steadily be growing back to its previous price. For now, Apple will remain on top of the market, but critics wonder with the lack of major innovation, how   much  longer  will they be there.

Written by Kevin Nelson, News Editor