App does not see battery/firmware status of Fairbuds [Android]

[urs_lesse]

After a first report of a serious issue with the latest Fairbuds firmware update, Fairphone reacted by halting the distribution of the update (and withdrawing the Fairbuds app from app stores temporily). See here:

New fairbuds in-ears - firmware update bricks the buds ?!

Just received my new fairbuds in-ears today. Installed the app, which notified me that there´s a new firmware (V56? iirc) available. Started the update, heard the buds power down after 100% but then… nothing. they are dead. no waiting, resetting, taking out the batteries… nothing works, they don´t work anymore! any advice besides sending them back?