SAN FRANCISCO, April 5 — Smartphone makers are now increasingly encouraging their customers to repair their devices themselves, whenever possible, rather than routinely buying a new replacement model. To achieve this, manufacturers prepare specific self-repair programs, which provide access to tools and spare parts. This trend, initiated by Apple, has now been adopted by the world’s number one smartphone, Samsung.
The South Korean manufacturer has announced the launch of a new self-repair program for owners of Galaxy S20 and S21 smartphones and Galaxy Tab S7 + tablets in the United States. Starting this summer, they will have access to genuine parts, as well as easy-to-use repair tools and repair manuals. For this purpose, Samsung has decided to partner with the popular online repair platform, iFixit.
Initially, it will be possible to replace the screen, back glass and charging ports, with the possibility of returning used parts to Samsung for responsible recycling. In the future, Samsung plans to expand the self-repair range to include more devices and repairs across its extensive product line. More details about the implementation of the program will be revealed later.
With this new service, it is clear that Samsung wants to boost the circular economy and significantly reduce e-waste. The idea is to change one or more parts yourself, rather than buying a new model at the slightest technical problem.
Last fall, Apple surprised everyone by announcing the launch of a similar service, dubbed Self-Service Repair, in early 2022. This service will also provide access to original tools and parts, allowing users to repair smartphones themselves. Only iPhone 12 and 13 series are initially eligible. Macs equipped with the M1 chipset could soon join this program which has been launched exclusively in the US, as is the case with Samsung. It should be extended to other countries very soon. – ETX studio
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