Samsung and iFixit partnership: a global dynamic for smartphone repair
Not so long ago, everyone was talking about planned obsolescence. Some big companies purposely slipped flaws into their devices so that they would break and consumers would be forced to buy a new model.
After various scandals, massive awareness and numerous ecological and economic constraints, the era of planned obsolescence seems to be over. Today, the dynamic even seems to have been completely reversed.
It is less and less advantageous to sell products that are not very durable. For several reasons :
In short, whether by conviction or not, making tech' products more resistant to the test of time is becoming a new imperative. To do this, you need quality materials, but also, if not above all, repairable products.
In this particular context, Samsung has just announced the birth of a partnership with the iFixit company. iFixit is a website that takes apart phones with articles and videos. It is the world's largest reference in the world of smartphone repair. It's not nothing.
Why is Samsung embarking on self-repair for its tablets and smartphones?
In 2022, self-repair has a lot of advantages.
No need to go through an expensive approved manufacturer to change a cracked screen: just buy the dysfunctional part and take care of it quietly from your sofa.
There's a saying that the best waste is the one you don't create. If we all start repairing our phones rather than throwing them away, millions of tons of CO2 can be avoided.
By opening up to self-repair, Samsung isn't just boosting its brand image. The company is also opening up to the market for spare parts sold individually. The brand will now offer screen assembly kits, charging ports, small specialized tools and more.
Even better: Samsung will offer various repair guides directly on its site. Once on the official website, consumers are just a click away from any other purchase of a Samsung product, which sells much more than cellphones and tablets.
Note that this new service will only be deployed in the United States for the moment and limited to Samsung's most popular models: the Galaxy S20 and S21 as well as the Galaxy Tab S7+ tablet. Of course, the company plans to expand self-repair to many more devices and more countries.
All of this will be in place this summer. For more details on the contours of this new advance, do not hesitate to consult the company's official press release!
