Samsung will soon offer its US customers the option to conduct self-repair on select Galaxy smartphones and tablets. The Korean electronics giant has partnered with American self-repair expert iFixit to offer self-help guides along with original replacement parts and accessories. The program is expected to start this summer.
Samsung Brings Self-Repair to End Users
Samsung will initially support the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 series of smartphones, in addition to the Galaxy Tab S7+, while promising to extend the self-repair program to more of its devices in the future. However, the latest Galaxy S22 line-up is conspicuous by its absence. Perhaps the smartphone maker is waiting on the parts supply chain to mature for the recently launched product.
The devices covered under the pilot program will allow owners to replace common components such as displays assemblies, rear glass panels, charging ports, and various unspecified components prone to wear and tear. Additionally, Samsung is working with iFixit to provide easy-to-understand repair guides along with the requisite tools to make the job easier for the end user.
iFixit Explains the Missing Replacement Batteries
Interestingly, replacement batteries haven’t been mentioned in Samsung’s press release. This is significant because this consumable component has a finite lifespan, and is one of the first to fail during the course of a device’s lifespan.
Speaking to The Verge, iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens explained that this may be as a consequence of the batteries being “pre-glued” to the display assembly. He suggests that the procedure would be too complicated for the average user.
Thankfully, complying with environmental guidelines will be easier, because Samsung will allow users to mail-in dead components for recycling. Additional details will be revealed as and when the program nears its launch.
The Right-to-Repair Movement Is Getting Stronger
Samsung’s nod to the growing right-to-repair movement comes on the heels of Apple announcing its own self-service program last year. However, the Korean smartphone maker isn’t the first brand to tie up with right-to-repair proponent iFixit.
In December 2021, Microsoft and iFixit struck a deal to make its Surface laptop range more repair friendly to third-party service technicians.
Samsung already offers “same-day” repair services covering 80 percent of the US population, which is a nicer way of saying that the service is primarily available in large metropolitan cities. The new repair program will not only be a godsend for customers with a more hands-on approach, but will also make Samsung devices easier to repair for third-party repair services.