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Before the mobs come out and put a hex on me, remember that photography and image quality is subjective. What looks better to me might not to you.

That said, let's get on to the camera comparisons between Google's new Pixel and Pixel XL and the iPhone 7/7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge.

On paper, Google, Apple and Samsung's flagship phones appear to have the same cameras: 12 megapixels on the back. The front cameras differ in resolution: 8 megapixels for the Pixels, 5 megapixels for the S7 Edge and 7 megapixels for the iPhone 7.

But as I've said a million times and I'll say a million times more: megapixels (aka resolution) aren't everything. Having more megapixels doesn't make a camera necessarily better. Resolution matters, but if it's at the detriment of image quality and performance, what's the point?

To me, the best phone camera has to be a few things:

• Fast to autofocus and capture: Because you don't want to miss a shot.

• Produce realistic colors with wide dynamic range: Because reality is not a comic book

• Produce sharp details with little image noise: Because details matter.

• Take great low-light photos: Because we like the dark and we like photos in dark places.

The iPhone 7 checks off all of these. Its cameras and image quality are well balanced across the board. The iPhone 7 Plus also has a fancy dual-lens camera that gives it 2x optical zoom and a fancy Portrait mode. Samsung's Galaxy S7/S7 Edge is better with low-light performance and the camera is faster to launch and autofocus, but it also saturates colors more.

The Pixel and Pixel XL's cameras falls somewhere in-between the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7. They're super fast. Images look incredibly crisp and have great dynamic range and low-light performance is damn good. So what's not to like? I'm not a fan of the oversaturated colors, but that's just me.

Testing method:

I left all camera settings on their defaults. In the past, I've always turned off HDR on all smartphone cameras before shooting with them, but I've now had to change that testing method since most people never bother to fiddle with them.

Not only that, but phones rely heavily on software processing to help produce the final photos. HDR+ is so vital to the Pixels' final image quality that my reviewers guide actually warned me that turning it off would result in poorer-looking photos and slower camera performance. Yikes!

As such, all photos below were shot with HDR set to auto. I couldn't tell you which ones actually had HDR on or off and I don't really care because what you see is what the camera considered the best shot.

Way warmer tones

The Pixel cameras' biggest weakness is color reproduction. Android is doing so much processing to the images that all the colors end up artificially pumped up and oversaturated. I've noticed it's a common symptom that plagues most Android phones like the Galaxy S7 and LG G5 and OnePlus 3. 

How is it that in 2016 no phone maker can match the iPhone's realistic colors?

I personally don't like the saturated colors. They don't look real. Skies are always way too blue. Yellows are too deep. Reds all blend into each other. I'll take photos with lifelike colors over saturated colors any day.

But if you're into the boosted colors or crank up the saturation in post anyway, you'll love the Pixel's  pictures.

Compare these two photos below. Just look at how much bluer the sky in the upper right corner is and how much more yellow the building is.

Here's another example where the blues and yellows are dialed up on the Pixel:

Turning off HDR+ mutes the saturation to some extent, but not by much. And turning HDR+ off on the Pixels isn't worth it since the camera start to lag a little.

Though most photos are way warmer than on the iPhone, sometimes the rear camera goes cooler for some reason. There just isn't much consistency for white balance:

But, at least the dynamic range is wider on the Pixel XL. The details on the fountain grass (that's the fuzzy plant) are softer on the Pixel XL compared to the iPhone 7, but look at how vibrant the purple leaves below it look. The same leaves in the iPhone 7 photo look totally dull in comparison.

Wider field of view

Compared with the iPhone 7, the Pixel XL's camera has a wider field of view thanks to its wider angle lens.

In English, it means you can fit more into a photo. The Pixel XL's wider angle lens makes it a more versatile camera for landscape photography.

It's perfrect for taking photos of tall landscapes, like the Bank of America building below:

The Pixel XL and Galaxy S7 Edge have roughly the same wide field of view:

Both photos look pretty sharp on their respective phone displays. It's only when you view them at 100% crops on a computer monitor that you can really see some of the differences in sharpness.

Honestly, the differences in sharpness are so minor, nobody but a nerd like me would care.

Here's another comparison showing how much more the Pixel XL cameras can capture:

And another close-up crop showing the barely noitceable sharpness differences:

Strong selfie game

As for selfies, I think the Pixel XL does a better job than the iPhone 7:

My skin looks smoother and healthier in the Pixel XL selfie since it's brighter:

Shoots well in low light

The Pixel XL performs quite good night shots. As expected, photos are a yellower than the iPhone 7:

You can click the below comparison to see how the Pixel XL stacks up against the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7 Edge:

Notice how the sky is more washed out on the Pixel XL photo and the Galaxy S7 Edge turns all the bricks on the building in the left red:

The Galaxy S7 Edge preserves sharper details of the Empire State Building, but the image noise is greater, too:

See that building just between the water tower and that skinny high-rise condominium on the upper right? The Pixel XL brings the green color out best, but the rest of the image is kind of a wash.

Impressive video stabilization

While the camera attention is almost always focused on still photography, the Pixel XL boasts impressive video recording capabilities. Like most smartphones, it records at up to 4K resolution.

That's nothing special. What is crazy is how well the camera stabilizes video. Phones like the iPhone 7 and Galaxy S7 rely on optical image stabilization (OIS) to compensate for shake in different directions, but the Pixels uses electronic image stabilization (EIS) to outstanding effect. 

EIS is normally inferior to OIS, but not so on the Pixels. Through software even the shakiest footage appears smooth — even smoother than the iPhone 7. Here's a video stabilization comparison between the Pixel XL and iPhone 7 (both originally shot in 4K and then downsized to 1080p):

Best smartphone cameras ever?

I don't think so, but they're so damn close. The color saturation bothers me too much, but again, that's personal preference. And that's fine, too, because if you prefer the artificially amplified colors, then the Pixel cameras will be perfect to your eyes.

It feels like a total cop-out to say this, but we've reached a point where the differences — outside of color reproduction — between flagship phone cameras are so negligible that most people will be very happy with the image quality.

We're all benefitting in the end. Android cameras have finally caught up to the iPhone with comparable performance and picture quality. Years of competition have pushed all phone makers to innovate harder and faster and now we're all winning because we don't have to look at crappy photos and videos.

The message on the Samsung Galaxy Note7 is clear: The device should not be used by anyone, regardless of when it was bought. 

The recommendation now comes straight from Samsung, which all but confirms the veracity of several reports that even the replacement Note7 devices — which were supposed to be safe with regards to battery issues — are catching fire. 

But even if some users insist on keep using the phone, they'll soon find its functionality diminished. A Reddit user found out and Android Central has confirmed that the Note7 will no longer work with Oculus' Gear VR headset. 

Users who try to pair the two devices will now get the following message: "Customer safety is Oculus' top priority. Oculus is removing support for all Note7 devices on the Oculus platform. Until further notice, Note7 devices will not be compatible with the Gear VR. For more information regarding the Note7, please contact Samsung directly."

Furthermore, the FAA has issued an updated guidance on Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices Monday, urging "passengers onboard aircraft to power down, and not use, charge, or stow in checked baggage, any Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, including recalled and replacement devices."

It's final: If you own a Note7, no matter how much you like it, you should turn it off and exchange it for money or a different device at your place of purchase. 

Continuing to use the phone is, simply put, dangerous. 

The news comes after a bad weekend for the Note7, in which more reports of the phone bursting into flames cropped up, followed by all major carriers cancelling replacement programs for the device.

The original Note7 was officially recalled after Samsung received more than 90 complaints of the phone's battery overheating and catching fire, in some cases causing injuries and damage to property. 

It's still possible that Samsung could resume production and sales of the Note7 if it manages to fix the phone's battery issues, but at this point it seems unlikely. 

In any case, all the Note7s that are currently in circulation — replacement units or otherwise — should be powered off, permanently. 

It has come to this: Samsung has temporarily halted production of the Galaxy Note7 smartphone, according to a report from Korea's Yonhap News Agency. 

The development follows a series of major moves related to the device on Sunday by the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile. Both wireless companies announced an immediate halt of sales of the replacement version of the Note7. The replacement version of the Note7 was meant to address initial reports of exploding Note7 devices. However, in recent days, some users with replacement Note7 devices have also reported incidents of exploding Samsung smartphones. 

The report from the South Korean news agency cites "an official at a supplier for Samsung."

Samsung's decision to completely take its best reviewed smartphone ever off the market is a huge hit to the company's reputation and seriously hobbles its efforts as it attempts to compete with chief rival Apple and its new iPhone 7. 

As of this writing, the company has not made an official announcement on its website regarding production of the Note7, and the company has not responded to attempts by Mashable to reach the company on Sunday. 

Samsung plans to begin selling the Galaxy Note7 in India before the festival of Diwali.

The company had to postpone sales of the Galaxy Note7 in India earlier this month, after it found “battery cell issues" in the smartphone. Shortly afterwards, Samsung had issued an advisory worldwide, urging users to return the device.

Mashable India has learned that the Galaxy Note7 will launch in the country before Diwali. Much like Christmas in Western nations, Diwali is a big festival in India and it sees huge spike in sales during the period. Diwali will be celebrated on Oct. 30 this year. 

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note7 in India last month. The company's newest Android flagship smartphone was scheduled to go on sale in the country on Sept. 2. However, on launch day Samsung India began informing customers who had pre-booked the smartphone that there will be some delay in the shipment of their phone. Later that day, Samsung held a press conference in Seoul where it acknowledged the battery issue that led to some Galaxy Note7 units exploding. 

Samsung said earlier this week that it has exchanged 60 percent of sold recalled Galaxy Note7 phones in the United States and South Korea. In Singapore, the company has exchanged 80 percent of all Galaxy Note7 phones sold. 

Samsung will face off with its global rival Apple in the country next month. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will go on sale in India from Oct. 7, and it is now clear Samsung won't be able to launch the Galaxy Note7 in the country by then. 

First it was the smartphones, now it's the washing machines.

In the same month that Samsung admitted it knows of at least 35 instances of Note7 batteries exploding or catching fire amid a nationwide recall in the U.S., the company is also having to deal with reports that some of its top-loading washers are also exploding.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning Wednesday, CNN reports, saying that there were "safety issues" with certain models made between March 2011 and April 2016. It did not specify models.

A woman's washer "exploded with such ferocity that it penetrated the interior wall of her garage."

Customers from several states, including Texas, Georgia and Indiana, have all said their washing machines exploded during use. ABC News believes 21 people have reported to the CPSC that their machines have malfunctioned.

In Texas, a woman's washer "exploded with such ferocity that it penetrated the interior wall of her garage," according to court documents reportedly filed earlier this year.

"The dent left at the washing machine's point of impact was so deep that it pushed through into [her] living room, which shares a wall with her garage."

Another woman in Georgia said it "sounded like a bomb went off in [her] ear” when her machine exploded in April. “There were wires, nuts, the cover actually was laying on the floor,” Melissa Thaxton of Dallas said.

Samsung issued a statement Wednesday, saying it was in "active discussions with the CPSC to address potential safety issues related to certain top-load washing machines."

"In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items," the company added. "Samsung is recommending that consumers with affected models use the lower speed delicate cycle" when washing those items. 

"It is important to note that Samsung customers have completed hundreds of millions of loads without incident since 2011."

Things just keep getting worse and worse for Samsung.

After weeks of investigating cases of Galaxy Note7 phones catching on fire, destroying people's cars, and even injuring people, Samsung and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an official recall for 1 million of the phones sold in the U.S.

As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), affected Note7 phones with defective batteries must be turned off and can't be used during flights. Many public transportation agencies like New York City's MTA have also urged riders not to use the Note7.

And then just as safe replacement Note7 shipments started arriving on Wednesday and Samsung announced about 500,000 phones of the 1 million recalled in the U.S. had been exchanged, a Galaxy Note 2 catches on fire during an IndieGo flight from Singapore to Chennai.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Samsung are currently investigating why the phone caught on fire in the first place. 

"We are in touch with relevant authorities to gather more information, and are looking into the matter," a spokesperson from Samsung India said in an emailed statement to Mashable India.

A Samsung spokesperson provided the following statement to Mashable over email: “We have been informed about an incident in India involving a Note 2, which uses a replaceable battery and was released in 2012. We are in touch with local authorities to gather more information and investigate whether there were any external factors involved.”

Following the incident, the DGCA has reportedly advised flyers to "exercise caution while flying with Samsung Note devices" according to spokesperson who spoke to The India Times. "They should either keep these devices switched off or not travel with them."

The last thing Samsung needs is another disaster that paints the company in more bad light.

Note (excuse the pun) the wording and how it urges against using essentially all Samsung Galaxy Note phones during flights. That includes any Note produced since the original device launched in 2011.

It's basically a declaration that SAMSUNG PHONES ARE DANGEROUS.

Talk about terrible timing.

The last thing Samsung needs is another disaster that paints the company in a worse light. It's especially tough at a time when the company's doing everything it can to prevent further tarnishing of its brand. It's also trying to reassure consumers that it has the Note7 situation under control and that new devices are safe to use.

What Samsung doesn't need right now is people scrutinizing the quality of all of the phones it produces. 

But alas, you can't control public perception. People are going to point fingers — even if the Note 2 incident is pure coincidence — at Samsung and demand answers.

And that's what sucks the most for Samsung. The Note7 issue may blow over quickly if it's able to successfully recall even 95 percent of the defective phones, but the brand damage will probably take a lot longer to repair.

Consumers, as loyal as some of us are, really aren't that loyal. We vote with our money and if a company can't assure that its products are safe to use, we'll leave in a heartbeat. Trust is not something easy to regain after major disasters.

Still, if you're a Samsung Galaxy Note user, I wouldn't worry at all.

While we won't know the real cause of the Note 2 incident until the official investigations are completed, it seems highly unlikely the fire is related to the Note7 defects, which prompted the global recall.

As eagle-eyed techies know, the Note 2 was released in 2012 and Samsung no longer sells the phone. And based on the image of the damaged phone that was made public, it looks like the removable battery expanded, which caused it to catch on fire. 

The cause could very likely be a third-party battery and not an official one. While some third-party batteries meet very strict quality control requirements, there are many that don't and those are the ones that are more likely to catch on fire.

Scary as a phone catching on fire on a flight is, it's happened before. Last year, an iPhone 6 inexplicably burst into flames aboard a flight going to Hawaii. And in 2014, there were two reported cases of iPhones catching on fire in people's pockets. Do a Google search and you'll find many more that happen every year.

It's unfortunate, but like I said earlier after the Note7 explosions started rolling in: Any phone could explode. There's no such thing as an explosion-proof phone. 

In fact, any device with a battery could potentially explode or catch on fire. Companies do their best to create controllers that monitor and regulate a battery to prevent it from overcharging and overheating, but defective batteries can happen (as was the case with the Note7) and people can (and do) push their phones beyond their advertised limits.

Generally, most phones go through their lifespans without any issues. If you're using an old Note or Samsung phone with removable batteries, we highly recommend using official batteries and not cheap knockoffs; the lower prices are tempting, but not worth potential risk and injury.

It's just really, really too bad for poor Samsung. The company just can't catch a break.

Things just keep getting worse and worse for Samsung.

After weeks of investigating cases of Galaxy Note7 phones catching on fire, destroying people's cars, and even injuring people, Samsung and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an official recall for 1 million of the phones sold in the U.S.

As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), affected Note7 phones with defective batteries must be turned off and can't be used during flights. Many public transportation agencies like New York City's MTA have also urged riders not to use the Note7.

And then just as safe replacement Note7 shipments started arriving on Wednesday and Samsung announced about 500,000 phones of the 1 million recalled in the U.S. had been exchanged, a Galaxy Note 2 catches on fire during an IndieGo flight from Singapore to Chennai.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Samsung are currently investigating why the phone caught on fire in the first place. 

"We are in touch with relevant authorities to gather more information, and are looking into the matter," a spokesperson from Samsung India said in an emailed statement to Mashable India.

Following the incident, the DGCA has reportedly advised flyers to "exercise caution while flying with Samsung Note devices" according to spokesperson who spoke to The India Times. "They should either keep these devices switched off or not travel with them."

The last thing Samsung needs is another disaster that paints the company in more bad light.

Note (excuse the pun) the wording and how it urges against using essentially all Samsung Galaxy Note phones during flights. That includes any Note produced since the original device launched in 2011.

It's basically a declaration that SAMSUNG PHONES ARE DANGEROUS.

Talk about terrible timing.

The last thing Samsung needs is another disaster that paints the company in a worse light. It's especially tough at a time when the company's doing everything it can to prevent further tarnishing of its brand. It's also trying to reassure consumers that it has the Note7 situation under control and that new devices are safe to use.

What Samsung doesn't need right now is people scrutinizing the quality of all of the phones it produces. 

But alas, you can't control public perception. People are going to point fingers — even if the Note 2 incident is pure coincidence — at Samsung and demand answers.

And that's what sucks the most for Samsung. The Note7 issue may blow over quickly if it's able to successfully recall even 95 percent of the defective phones, but the brand damage will probably take a lot longer to repair.

Consumers, as loyal as some of us are, really aren't that loyal. We vote with our money and if a company can't assure that its products are safe to use, we'll leave in a heartbeat. Trust is not something easy to regain after major disasters.

Still, if you're a Samsung Galaxy Note user, I wouldn't worry at all.

While we won't know the real cause of the Note 2 incident until the official investigations are completed, it seems highly unlikely the fire is related to the Note7 defects, which prompted the global recall.

As eagle-eyed techies know, the Note 2 was released in 2012 and Samsung no longer sells the phone. And based on the image of the damaged phone that was made public, it looks like the removable battery expanded, which caused it to catch on fire. 

The cause could very likely be a third-party battery and not an official one. While some third-party batteries meet very strict quality control requirements, there are many that don't and those are the ones that are more likely to catch on fire.

Scary as a phone catching on fire on a flight is, it's happened before. Last year, an iPhone 6 inexplicably burst into flames aboard a flight going to Hawaii. And in 2014, there were two reported cases of iPhones catching on fire in people's pockets. Do a Google search and you'll find many more that happen every year.

It's unfortunate, but like I said earlier after the Note7 explosions started rolling in: Any phone could explode. There's no such thing as an explosion-proof phone. 

In fact, any device with a battery could potentially explode or catch on fire. Companies do their best to create controllers that monitor and regulate a battery to prevent it from overcharging and overheating, but defective batteries can happen (as was the case with the Note7) and people can (and do) push their phones beyond their advertised limits.

Generally, most phones go through their lifespans without any issues. If you're using an old Note or Samsung phone with removable batteries, we highly recommend using official batteries and not cheap knockoffs; the lower prices are tempting, but not worth potential risk and injury.

It's just really, really too bad for poor Samsung. The company just can't catch a break.

The reports of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones have resulted in a massive recall. But for one individual that action may have come to late, and now he's filing a lawsuit. 

According to a report from Reuters, the lawsuit was filed on Friday by Jonathan Strobel, a Boca Raton, Florida user who says he sustained injuries on Sept. 9 after the Galaxy Note7 allegedly exploded in his front pocket. 

In addition to the leg injury, Strobel claims that the smartphone also burned his thumb

In addition to the leg injury, Strobel claims that the smartphone burned his thumb when he tried to remove it from his pants. Strobel's lawyer claims that his client suffered a second-degree burn on his leg and, as a result, the plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages for "medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering." 

Although this is one of the first lawsuits against Samsung regarding the defective smartphone, more could be on the way. Last week, a 6-year-old child in New York was sent to the hospital after a Galaxy Note7 began burning while he was holding the device.  

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), "Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the U.S., including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage." 

In an effort to avoid such accidents, major airlines and even the New York City subway system have urged users to avoid using the device while traveling. 

As for the Florida case, when contacted by Reuters, Samsung spokeswoman Danielle Meister Cohen said, "We don't comment on pending litigation." 

The reports of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones have resulted in a massive recall. But for one individual that action may have come to late, and now he's filing a lawsuit. 

According to a report from Reuters, the lawsuit was filed on Friday by Jonathan Strobel, a Boca Raton, Florida user who says he sustained injuries on Sept. 9 after the Galaxy Note7 allegedly exploded in his front pocket. 

In addition to the leg injury, Strobel claims that the smartphone also burned his thumb

In addition to the leg injury, Strobel claims that the smartphone burned his thumb when he tried to remove it from his pants. Strobel's lawyer claims that his client suffered a second-degree burn on his leg and, as a result, the plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages for "medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering." 

Although this is one of the first lawsuits against Samsung regarding the defective smartphone, more could be on the way. Last week, a 6-year-old child in New York was sent to the hospital after a Galaxy Note7 began burning while he was holding the device.  

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), "Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the U.S., including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage." 

In an effort to avoid such accidents, major airlines and even the New York City subway system have urged users to avoid using the device while traveling. 

As for the Florida case, when contacted by Reuters, Samsung spokeswoman Danielle Meister Cohen said, "We don't comment on pending litigation." 

Note7 owners won't have to wait much longer for a replacement device. 

With Samsung's official recall of the Note7 now underway, carriers have started to lay out when their customers can expect replacement devices. 

Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and US Cellular have all confirmed they will have replacement devices available at their retail locations by Sept. 21. Samsung also says it expects to have replacements ready "no later" than that day. 

In the meantime, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising people who purchased a Note7 prior to Sept. 15, to "immediately stop using and power down" the handset. Affected devices can be returned and exchanged at the same location where they were purchased. 

Additionally, Samsung is offering a $25 credit or gift card to those affected by the recall.  

Samsung's recall followed dozens of reports that its Note7 had exploded — likely due to a faulty battery. The company also plans to release a software update in South Korea that will help address the issue, though it's not clear if it will be available in other countries as well. 

If you're not sure if your device is affected by the recall, Samsung has a form on their website where you can enter your device's serial number to check if it should be replaced. 

Note7 owners won't have to wait much longer for a replacement device. 

With Samsung's official recall of the Note7 now underway, carriers have started to lay out when their customers can expect replacement devices. 

Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and US Cellular have all confirmed they will have replacement devices available at their retail locations by Sept. 21. Samsung also says it expects to have replacements ready "no later" than that day. 

In the meantime, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising people who purchased a Note7 prior to Sept. 15, to "immediately stop using and power down" the handset. Affected devices can be returned and exchanged at the same location where they were purchased. 

Additionally, Samsung is offering a $25 credit or gift card to those affected by the recall.  

Samsung's recall followed dozens of reports that its Note7 had exploded — likely due to a faulty battery. The company also plans to release a software update in South Korea that will help address the issue, though it's not clear if it will be available in other countries as well. 

If you're not sure if your device is affected by the recall, Samsung has a form on their website where you can enter your device's serial number to check if it should be replaced. 

Note7 owners won't have to wait much longer for a replacement device. 

With Samsung's official recall of the Note7 now underway, carriers have started to lay out when their customers can expect replacement devices. 

Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and US Cellular have all confirmed they will have replacement devices available at their retail locations by Sept. 21. Samsung also says it expects to have replacements ready "no later" than that day. 

In the meantime, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising people who purchased a Note7 prior to Sept. 15, to "immediately stop using and power down" the handset. Affected devices can be returned and exchanged at the same location where they were purchased. 

Additionally, Samsung is offering a $25 credit or gift card to those affected by the recall.  

Samsung's recall followed dozens of reports that its Note7 had exploded — likely due to a faulty battery. The company also plans to release a software update in South Korea that will help address the issue, though it's not clear if it will be available in other countries as well. 

If you're not sure if your device is affected by the recall, Samsung has a form on their website where you can enter your device's serial number to check if it should be replaced. 

After weeks of urging consumers to return and exchange their Galaxy Note7 phones, Samsung, in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has officially recalled the phones over defective batteries that could potentially explode.

Up to 1 million Note7 phones sold are affected in the U.S., but only about 130,000 device owners have returned their devices.

Samsung's now diligently urging ordering all Note7 owners who purchased a phone prior to Sept. 15 to return the phone and get a replacement. So if you're one of those owners and haven't done so, please do. You really, really don't want your Note7 to accidentally incinerate your car, burn you or blow up on any planes or trains.

The recall has effectively declared affected Note7 phones extremely dangerous to own. 

One of the reasons why so many Note7 owners may not have returned their devices could be related to limited stock for replacements. There are many reports that replacements weren't available and some users may have been hesitant to get loaner S7 and S7 Edge devices until new shipments arrived.

The process for getting replacements was also confusing. Consumers trying to return their devices to carriers were either told they didn't have replacements and didn't know when there would be any, or told to contact Samsung, in which the Korean electronics giant would then tell consumers they'd need to contact their carriers.

That confusion has only frustrated Note7 owners more.

How to see if your Note7 is affected

Obviously if you purchased a Note7 prior to Sept. 15, you should return and exchange it. But perhaps you got one as a gift or you're reading this story at a much later date and want to know if you have a phone that could explode.

To find out, locate your IMEI or serial number (Apps > Settings > About Phone  or General Management > Status IMEI information or Serial number, or find it on the back of your phone) and then enter it into Samsung's database here.

Replacements coming by Sept. 21

Following the proper Note7 recall, Samsung now says it'll have replacements for the affected U.S. phones as soon as next week.

"To our Note7 owners, if you have not yet replaced your original Note7, please, please power it down and return it," Tim Baxter, Samsung Electronics America president and COO, said in an apology video. "New Note7 phones will be available for exchange no later than next Wednesday, Sept. 21. Visit Samsung.com for more information."

A source close to Samsung tells Mashable the company is preparing an ample supply to replace faulty phones.

"To those of you who love the Note, the most loyal members in our Samsung family, we appreciate your passion and patience," Baxter said. "We take seriously our responsibility to address your concerns about safety. And we will work every day to earn back your trust through a number of unprecedented actions and with the extraordinary support of our carrier partners, suppliers and United States Consumer Products Safety Commission."

U.S. Note7 owners have three options according to Samsung:

1. Exchange your current Galaxy Note7 device with a new Galaxy Note7 as approved by the CPSC available no later than Sept. 21, 2016; or

2. Exchange your current Galaxy Note7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge and replacement of any Note7 specific accessories with a refund of the price difference between devices; or

3. Contact your point of purchase to obtain a refund.

Additionally, Samsung's also throwing in a "$25 gift card, in-store credit, in-store accessory credit or bill credit from select carrier retail outlets" for those who exchange their devices as a consolation bonus for any trust lost.

Samsung's also provided websites and contact information regarding how to exchange Note7 phones at U.S. carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular) and at Best Buy on its website as well.

What about stickers and software updates and new battery icons?

There are several reports that Samsung is labeling new Note7 with different batteries with an "S" sticker on the packaging, issuing software updates that limit the charging of affected Note7 phones to 60 percent and giving new phones green battery icons instead of white ones.

However, none of that will happen in the U.S. In a phone call, Justin Denison, senior vice president of product strategy and marketing at Samsung Electronics America told Mashable that there are currently no plans for those specific initiatives — which are being taken by Samsung in other regions — planned for America.

At the current time, the company is focusing on its protocols with the CPSC and checking if devices have faulty batteries through IMEI and serial numbers. 

All new Note7 phones including replacements will be verified through authorized sellers as safe through its database; Note7 phones with IMEIs or serial numbers that are flagged in the database as faulty will not be sellable.

Additionally, the company is using a multitude of channels and social media platforms, including sending customers emails and notifications via the Samsung Plus app, to blast the recall information. In addition, it has produced print and radio spots to get users to take the recall seriously.

Samsung is planning further initiatives, but declined to elaborate beyond the fact that they'll be forthcoming.

Denison reiterated to Mashable that the company is putting safety as its top priority.

Note7 owners won't have to wait much longer for a replacement device. 

With Samsung's official recall of the Note7 now underway, carriers have started to lay out when their customers can expect replacement devices. 

Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and US Cellular have all confirmed they will have replacement devices available at their retail locations by Sept. 21. Samsung also says it expects to have replacements ready "no later" than that day. 

In the meantime, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising people who purchased a Note7 prior to Sept. 15, to "immediately stop using and power down" the handset. Affected devices can be returned and exchanged at the same location where they were purchased. 

Additionally, Samsung is offering a $25 credit or gift card to those affected by the recall.  

Samsung's recall followed dozens of reports that its Note7 had exploded — likely due to a faulty battery. The company also plans to release a software update in South Korea that will help address the issue, though it's not clear if it will be available in other countries as well. 

If you're not sure if your device is affected by the recall, Samsung has a form on their website where you can enter your device's serial number to check if it should be replaced. 

Samsung’s glorious Galaxy Note7 mission has just imploded, almost as spectacularly as SpaceX’s Facebook satellite-carrying rocket did on the launch pad just hours before.

SpaceX will mop up and launch again. Samsung's Galaxy Note7 might not be so lucky.

The 5.7-inch Galaxy Note7 is one of the best-reviewed products and, perhaps, one of the top smartphones of the past year, but all that may be for naught. After dozens of reports of Galaxy Note7’s exploding while charging, Samsung on Friday made the dramatic decision to push pause on all sales of the Galaxy Note7. They have yet to issue a full recall, but are working on a replacement policy for the U.S. market, which Samsung plans to announce sometime on Friday.

There have been smartphone issues – even exploding and burning phones – in the past, but nothing quite like this. 

Consider the timeline: 

• Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy Note7 on August 2. 

• Pre-orders started on August 3. 

• Early hands-ons and media buzz quickly generated so much excitement that some carriers started shipping to excited customers days ahead of the official August 19 ship date. 

• On August 24, Samsung told Reuters that they basically couldn’t build the devices fast enough.

• Bu August 31, the number of exploding Note7’s prompted Samsung to stop shipments.

• On September 2, the company halted sales of the Gorilla-glass-clad device.

It all happened so fast that there wasn’t even time for the denial phase. 

Over the years, consumers have discovered all kinds of problems with their smartphones, everything from faulty antennas to the units catching fire in their pockets. Most of the time, these are such isolated cases, the manufacturer can either ignore, deny or eventually recommend a different usage strategy to avoid the issue.

To Samsung’s credit, the company identified the source of the explosions and has moved swiftly to protect future customers.

What they plan to do for current Note7 owners is a little less clear. While exchanges are promised, some Note7 owners are openly wondering what they should do with their Note7 devices right now. Samsung has not recommended they stop using them, even if there is the potential that the phone could explode or catch fire during its next recharge. (I’ve contacted Samsung for clarification of this issue.)

Timing is everything

It isn’t lost on me or anyone else that this sales halt and exchange program for the hottest new phone on the market comes at the worst possible moment, less than a week before the launch of the eagerly-anticipated Apple iPhone 7.

Prior to Samsung’s exploding Galaxy Note7 problems, most, including me, had positioned the Galaxy Note7 as Apple’s toughest smartphone competition to date. Sure, it’s a big phone, but the Galaxy Note7 managed a bigger screen in a smaller body than Apple’s current iPhone 6s Plus and it threw in a stylus, more battery life, wireless charging and a waterproof case. Oh and did I mention that it can see your irises? This is one awesome smartphone.

When it isn’t exploding.

Now, all the marketing Samsung may have planned to counter whatever Apple launches next week will probably be put on hold. It’s the loss of a golden opportunity.

Imagine, for instance, if Apple actually does drop the 3.5 mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. During the Galaxy Note7 launch in August, Samsung memorably made a sort of live subtweet about the rumors, casually mentioning that their device would come with a headphone jack.

Forget further subtweets or clever counter-marketing. For the few weeks, Samsung will have exactly one mission: saving the Galaxy Note7. 

All the marketing Samsung may have planned to counter whatever Apple launches next week will probably be put on hold. It’s the loss of a golden opportunity.

So, as Apple is introducing major new hardware the features that meet, beat or even fall short of the Note7, Samsung will have to sit on its hands while it quietly deals with what could very well be the worst thing that has ever happened to the Galaxy brand

It may be a small blessing that this happened so early in the Note7 life cycle, before a broader, global roll-out (it’s been available in the U.S. and South Korea). Perhaps the total number of units in consumer hands is relatively manageable and the process of exchanging them might not be that bad.

On the other hand, since most consumers in the U.S. still get their smartphone though carriers like Verizon and AT&T, Samsung has to coordinate with each one of them individually to figure out how this exchange will work. These are the same carriers who are likely gearing up to deliver a brand new iPhone to millions of consumers. This is definitely not something they want to deal with right now.

Can Samsung save the Note7?

With the exception of the details on exchanges, I’d say Samsung is handling this as best it can. It responded quickly, revealed the source of the explosions (a battery cell issue) and clearly wants to make this right for its customers.

However, there’s no taking back the images of these destroyed phones, easily assuaging customer fears or regaining their trust.

The space isn't easy, but delivering consumer electronics to millions of customers at once probably isn’t a cakewalk, either. Design, development and building the final product can take months or even years. Testing against catastrophic failure is part of that process. If you’re lucky that failure happens before you place a multi-million-dollar satellite atop a rocket ship or ship millions of phones to consumers. 

And sometimes it doesn’t.

Samsung's impressive new Galaxy Note 7 doesn't launch until Aug. 19, but pre-orders begin today.

In the U.S., the Note 7 will be available on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular in three colors: Blue Coral, Black Onyx and Silver Titanium. Here's how much it'll cost on each carrier.

On Verizon, the Note 7 will be available on a monthly installment plan of $36 per month for 24 months or $864 upfront.

AT&T is selling the Note 7 for $29.34 per month for 30 months or $879.99 upfront.

T-Mobile's selling the phone for $32.50 per month for 24 month ($69.99 down) or $849.99 in full.

Sprint is offering the Note 7 for $35.42 paid over 24 months, $349.99 (after mail-in rebate) with a 2-year contract, or $849.99 in full.

U.S. Cellular hasn't announced pricing for the Note 7.

The phones are identical on all of the carriers. Looking at the numbers, AT&T is the most expensive option followed by Verizon. T-Mobile and Sprint offer the best deal on the Note 7.

Shoppers who pre-order the Note 7 also get a free gift of their choice: a Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD card.

T-Mobile is also throwing in a full year of Netflix, which makes it the most attractive deal.

Mashable got to spend some time with the Note 7 and was impressed by all it has to offer.

Notable specs include:

• 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with dual-curved edges

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor

• Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

• 4GB of RAM

• 64GB of storage (expandable to 256GB via microSD)

• IP68 dust and water resistance (including the S Pen)

• 3,500 mAh battery

• 12-megapixel f/1.7 back camera

• 5-megapixel f/1.7 front camera

• Fast wired and fast wireless charging

• USB Type-C

• 3.5mm headphone jack

• Fingerprint scanner

• NEW iris scanner

• Works with new Gear VR

The Apple Watch is flopping big time, according to the latest report from market research and analysis firm IDC.

The firm's latest findings indicate Apple Watch sales were down 55 percent in Q2 of this year compared to the same period last year, when the smartwatch launched.

Meanwhile, smartwatch sales from competing companies like Samsung and Lenovo grew by 51 percent and 75 percent, respectively, during the same Q2 2015 to Q2 2016 year period. 

Though the report paints a dire picture for the Apple Watch, Apple still owns the lion's share of the smartwatch market, with 47 percent. Samsung is in second place with 16 percent and Lenovo in third place with 9 percent market share.

The steep sales drop suggests the Apple Watch has not become the must-have product Apple made it out to be.

The hardware itself is beautiful, but anyone who's used one (I've been wearing an Apple Watch for a year now) will tell you it's expensive and slow. Really damn slow.

In March, Apple took the first step toward making the Apple Watch more popular by dropping the starting price of the 38mm model from $349 to $299.

This fall, Apple will address the second frustration with watchOS 3, a new version of the Apple Watch's software. WatchOS 3 rethinks most of the device's shortcomings. It dramatically speeds up apps with a new quick-launch dock, adds Control Center for toggling settings just like on the iPhone and features smart replies. New features also include Scribble, which lets you write out words, and better watch faces that show more useful data from apps.

We're still in the very early days of the Apple Watch and the smartwatch market as a whole.

A second-generation Apple Watch would also help boost sales. The Apple Watch 2 is

rumored

to be launching this fall.

Though Samsung effectively kicked off the modern smartwatch industry in 2013 with its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, the company has only found real success with the Gear S2, which it released last year.

Lenovo's Moto 360 also isn't too shabby, but there's more that can be done to make Android Wear work better on the wrist. Android 2.0, which launches this fall, will bring many improvements to Google's smartwatch platform.

A second-generation Apple Watch would also help boost sales. The Apple Watch 2 is rumored to be launching this fall with a faster processor and, possibly, built-in cellular capabilities to make it a more capable standalone device that's less reliant on an iPhone connection.

IDC expects the market to "return to growth in 2017". "Continued platform development, cellular connectivity, and an increasing number of applications all point to a smartwatch market that will be constantly changing," wrote Ramon T. Llamas, IDC's wearables team research manager. "These will appeal to a broader market, ultimately leading to a growing market."