Comments show that there might be resolutions and potential for firmware patch. [0] Bad updates happen.
[0] https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Home-Theater/Samsung-Q99...
They did this with their Blu-Ray players about five years ago:
https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/18/samsung_bluray_mass_d...
Each device had to be shipped to a repair center because they needed to directly re-flash the flash storage. The issue with the Blu-Ray players was that an update caused it to get in to a state where it would boot loop before it even got to a point that anything could be done, manually or otherwise.
What we don't know yet with this issue is whether the devices are booting enough to apply another firmware update. It may be possible to do this, fixing this issue. If that's the case "bricked" would be technically incorrect, but for now, it's not a wholly inaccurate term.
This is too circular for me. Google "bricked" and you get the Oxford Languages definition, which says "...typically on a permanent basis."
e: HN headline has been corrected
I've tried all the potential solutions this morning. It seems permanent unless Samsung somehow finds some magic to fix it, especially since the soundbar won't connect to WiFi/internet and doesn't do anything with the USB plugged in.
I'll take a chance on a hardware update if the forums say "soft brick." If people are saying "brick," then I'm only moving forward if I'm prepared to write off the device.
edit: HN headline has been corrected