Samsung announced a new partnership with iFixit on Thursday local time, allowing some Galaxy flagship devices to be repaired by users themselves. Samsung will provide genuine parts, repair tools and repair guides for users who want to repair their own Galaxy devices.
Under pressure from consumers and regulators to ease restrictions on product repairs, Samsung began enabling customers to repair mobile devices themselves. The company’s new program allows Galaxy device owners to purchase genuine parts, repair tools and repair guides from third-party partner repairers. Previously, Samsung users had to rely on the company’s in-house repair service to repair their devices.
It is reported that users of the Galaxy S20, S21 series smartphones and Galaxy Tab S7 + tablets will be able to use the service this summer, but S22 series smartphone users will not be able to use the service for the time being. Samsung said it is working with iFixit, an online repair community. The latter has worked with Motorola on a similar self-repair program.
Last November, Apple announced a self-service repair program called Self Repair Service. The project will provide Apple device users with components such as displays, batteries and camera modules. Anyone can buy parts for an Apple device and repair it themselves according to the repair manual.
Apple has yet to officially launch the project, which the company says will initially be limited to iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users. Apple has previously said the service will later be extended to Macs powered by Apple’s new M1 chip.
Companies such as Samsung and Apple have been criticized both inside and outside the industry for their habit of using non-removable memory, batteries, or sealing devices with special glue, making it more difficult for third-party repairers and companies to disassemble. The companies argue that this is done to ensure that the products are properly repaired through company-authorized repair services.
Kyle Wiens, chief executive of iFixit, said Samsung’s latest announcement is “part of a huge change that shows device makers are taking action to support users’ right to repair.”
He added: “Extending the lifespan of electronics is critical to the future of the planet, and giving consumers the option to repair themselves is a critical step toward that goal.”
Last summer, the U.S. president urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create rules that prevent manufacturers from putting up barriers to third-party equipment repair shops and users to make repairs themselves. A week later, the FTC announced that it was “eradicating” manufacturers’ illegal restrictions on the right to repair various devices. The move is also supported by European regulators.
New regulations could ban the practice and require all smartphone makers to open up the supply of parts, tools, repair manuals to third-party businesses and individuals, and provide repair diagnostic tools outside of the device’s warranty period.
Pedro Pacheco, senior director at market research firm Gartner, said, “In many cases, the price of fixing a smartphone or computer comes close to repurchasing the device. It’s a strategy that aims to encourage people to buy new equipment rather than repair it.”
The shifts made by companies like Apple and Samsung can also benefit consumers in a variety of ways. Pacheco added that because device makers give consumers more control over how their phones are repaired, which could extend product life, companies need to “entice consumers to replace or upgrade phones with better specs and other new features.” Smartphones”, “They’re going to need to refocus.”