Just some sharing here. As I am having some long term assignment in China, I enquire China Samsung about my phone. Amazingly they have no issue to replace a brand new set for me even though I only have a phone and charger with me. They ask me to decide if I am fine with original China set. I would check if it is possible to switch colour to coral blue. Pray that they allow so and I will happily surrender my MY set to them.

Paused.hehe

I also paused the download/update but will it auto download again?

Coming from Note series, if I am in your shoes, I will go for Mate 9. Large display, QHD (may be), large battery, dual camera lens co-work with Leica  (assuming better than P9). IMO, if you ask me which device is closest to Note series (minus the S-Pen), I would say the answer is Mate series from Huawei.

Do check again as China set does not support any Google stuffs - eg no play store , play services , YouTube too
Unless you install custom recovery and install Gapps yourself

But the warranty will be by Samsung China if u replace the unit with them?

Paused.hehe

No use paused.
It will still automatic update

Is there any phone or phablet beside samsung that have s-pen? I want phone thag have s-pen but since note7 has many probs and issues i have to find another solution

No use paused.
It will still automatic update

No la...untill now still paused..not downloading. Hehe

can manual increase the max battery to 80%

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/09/22/batter...ncreased-to-80/

Today, I try to install the google now launcher to replace touchwiz skin..
I am so surprise that UI become smoooth and fast.

you guys can try it.. but before install the launcher.. u must uninstall the security folder.. if not, your app not showing in app drawer..

for more detail , please google yourself.

OT :

If I am about to lose faith in Note7 (or perhaps w Samsung too), what is possibly the closest call for me as an exchange? Other than Fruit phones.

I just wonder.
This may sounds crazy, but Honor8 and Mate8 does a good job iinm. (Other than their lousy camera). I am also waiting for the V20 and Mate9 but there is no specific date yet. I might surrender mine to a new owner once I get the replacement unit. Makes me have little time to browse around and see what cant be unseen. I've been with Samsung for almost 7 years with 10 devices already!

Inb4, TLDR.
Edited : P9 plus, anyone?

The Note 7 is now and forever a dud that you shouldn't buy. Not because it's a bad phone or the new models will explode, but because Samsung will be quick to drop support and forget it ever existed.