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I found out about a corporate discount I have with Verizon through the firm I work for, so I went ahead and ordered the name-brand version at a hefty discount. When it arrived, I found out a nice tidbit: These Verizon/Samsung batteries have a 1 year warranty - and I know the previous battery that pooped out is less than a year old.
I'll see what I can do to get my previous spare battery repalced under warranty now, in case ny of this helps anyone else out...