Notebookcheck Logo

Note 7 resurrected: Samsung could begin to refurbish and sell Galaxy Note 7

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 could be in for a refurbished return. (Source: Hankyung)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 could be in for a refurbished return. (Source: Hankyung)
According to a South Korean news outlet, Samsung may refurbished recalled Galaxy Note 7 units with smaller capacity batteries and new outer casings.

Like the phoenix of legend, Samsung may rise from the ashes of the Galaxy Note 7 battery fiasco. A report from Hankyung, a South Korean economic news outlet, has hinted that Samsung may sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 units that were sent in as part of last year’s massive recall.

At this point, we’re all well aware of the Note 7’s charging and battery woes. After a costly recall and continued reports of devices catching fire, Samsung finally decided to kill the device. A lengthy investigation revealed that the cause of the battery fires were faulty batteries from both third-party and internal manufacturers. This could be a silver lining in the face of a tumultuous storm; if the explosions were caused by the battery and no other component of the phone, it could be relatively simple for Samsung to gut Note 7 devices and replace the faulty batteries.

That looks to be what Samsung may do. If the report is to be believed, Samsung will replace the battery with a smaller capacity unit (3200 mAh compared to the original 3500 mAh) and a new chassis. Selling the device may result in some difficulties as the Note 7 has been banned by officials in both Europe and the United States. However, the refurbs may find a market in emerging markets (think India and Southeast Asia) and could be on sale as early as June.

This move could also help Samsung mitigate the costs of the recall, the lost profits from unsold devices, and the costs of disposal for faulty and warehouse phones. Remember that we haven’t heard a peep from Samsung on this matter or how they’ll handle the recalled phablets, but many will wait with anticipation for the (possible) triumphant return of the Galaxy Note 7.

Source(s)

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2017 02 > Note 7 resurrected: Samsung could begin to refurbish and sell Galaxy Note 7
Sam Medley, 2017-02-22 (Update: 2017-02-22)