Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Fan Edition battery is different in more ways than one

Despite almost ruining Samsung's reputation beyond repair, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is making a comeback, and a new teardown shows exactly what's different this time around. 

To increase safety and avoid another recall, the limited-run Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition has a battery that's undergone some major changes, according to an iFixit teardown.

The South Korea-exclusive Fan Edition features a brand-new, lower-capacity battery that holds 3,200mAh of juice, down from the original Note 7's 3,500mAh.

However, it's not just smaller energy storage that's meant to prevent the Fan Edition from overheating, but also a smaller form factor.

In this case, size does matter

Though we've known for a while the Fan Edition would sport a lower-capacity battery, iFixit's teardown finds the new battery is also physically smaller, both in mass and dimension. 

This is likely because one of the original Note 7's biggest flaws was that the batteries were incorrectly sized, making them prone to swelling, punctures and, ultimately, catching fire.

While by no means a massive downgrade, (Apple is hush-hush about exact specifications, but the competing iPhone 7 Plus reportedly has just 2,900mAh of battery life) the reduced juice and size on the Galaxy Note 7 Fan Edition's battery should help it avoid meeting the same self-immolating fate of its predecessor.

Samsung may be bringing back the Note 7 in a small way, but all eyes are already on its next big release, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8

With a launch tipped for August 23, the Note 8 may help Samsung put the whole Note 7 fiasco behind it, once and for all.

Parker Wilhelm
Parker Wilhelm is a freelance writer for TechRadar. He likes to tinker in Photoshop and talk people's ears off about Persona 4.
Latest in Samsung Galaxy Phones
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could resurrect an intriguing camera feature
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be in line for a Galaxy S25 Ultra-level camera upgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, close up on the dual camera system, against a marbled background
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is being tipped to come with a sweet Google Gemini deal
Samsung Galaxy A56 display
Samsung’s new budget handsets are getting One UI 7 before the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’m as confused as you are
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may have revealed some key details – including its price
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra HANDS ON
‘I don't see a space where the S Pen is not a key part of our portfolio’: Samsung executive defends the S Pen amid cancellation rumors
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough