Attention DIY enthusiasts! In the wake of Apple, Samsung will provide owners of Galaxy smartphones and tablets with original parts, tools and repair guides to repair their devices themselves. Enough to allow the self-repair of its devices and “promote a circular economy and minimize electronic waste”, argues the management of Samsung, which specifies that this program will only be available for the time being in the United States, without communicating more about a potential deployment on the Old Continent.
This self-repair initiative follows a similar announcement made by Apple late last year. Samsung’s program will launch this summer across the Atlantic with Samsung’s most popular models, the Galaxy S20 and S21 product family, and the Galaxy Tab S7+. The South Korean giant plans to subsequently extend self-repair to more devices, says its management. Samsung will provide display assemblies, rear glass, and charging ports, along with the tools and know-how owners will need to complete the repairs.
“At Samsung, we are creating more ways for consumers to extend the life of our products through premium care experiences,” said Ramon Gregory, senior vice president of customer service at Samsung. American branch of Samsung. “The availability of self-healing will provide our consumers with convenience and more options for sustainable solutions. »
Partnership with iFixit
In detail, Samsung will collaborate with iFixit, the leading online repair community, on this program. “For starters, owners of Galaxy devices will be able to replace the screen, back glass, and charging ports, and return used parts to Samsung for responsible recycling. In the future, Samsung plans to expand self-repair to more devices and repairs across its extensive product line,” said the management of the South Korean tech giant.
For first-time users who don’t want to get their hands dirty, Samsung will also offer same-day support at one of its 2,000 Samsung Authorized Service Centers and Service Points. A fleet of 550 vans offering in-person service within a 30-60 minute drive will also be deployed, along with an extensive independent service network. It now remains to be seen whether, like Apple, Samsung wants to expand this program to other markets, including France, where users can only carry out repairs themselves at their own risk.
Apple and Samsung’s interest in self-repair responds to a context of tougher American and European legislation on the subject. After Brussels and Paris, Washington recently passed a new executive order aimed at nothing less than prohibiting manufacturers from preventing people from repairing their devices themselves, or through independent repair shops.
In Europe, Brussels had already taken a position in favor of the “right to repair” in order to improve consumer choice and confidence in technological products. Previously, France had also adopted a series of measures to force manufacturers of electronic equipment to engage further in the circular economy.