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Samsung Now Offers Self-Repair Options for Galaxy Devices in Partnership With iFixit

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Apple competitor Samsung today announced a new partnership with iFixit that will see Samsung providing authentic parts, repair tools, and repair guides to customers who want to repair their own Galaxy devices.

galaxy-s21.jpg

Samsung's new program mirrors a self-repair program that Apple introduced last year. The "Self Service Repair" program, which is supposed to be launching in early 2022, is designed to let users do their own repairs by sourcing parts and repair manuals from Apple.

Apple's program will be limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 at launch, though Apple plans to offer self-repair options for other devices over time. Apple plans to provide more than 200 individual parts and tools for repairing the latest iPhones.

Like Apple's repair program, Samsung's repair option is also limited at the current time. Samsung and iFixit will be providing repair parts for the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S21, and the Tab S7 Plus, but not the latest Galaxy S22 devices. Samsung plans to launch its initiative in the summer, and additional devices will be supported over time.

Customers who use Samsung's self repair program will be provided with step-by-step repair guides for replacing display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports, with used parts returned to Samsung for recycling. In a statement, Samsung's SVP of customer care Ramon Gregory said that Samsung is "creating more ways for consumers to extend the lifespan of [its] products with premium care experiences."

Both Apple and Samsung have introduced these self-repair programs in response to right to repair legislation that many states have crafted. Apple and other tech companies have lobbied hard against such legislation, and are perhaps aiming to stave off wide sweeping requirements by implementing their own solutions.

Article Link: Samsung Now Offers Self-Repair Options for Galaxy Devices in Partnership With iFixit
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/03/31/samsung-ifixit-self-repair-partnership/
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I'm pretty handy with the self-fixins' but last time I tried to self-repair the battery on my iPhone I broke it. :( I think I'm done with all the tiny ribbon cables, glue strips, and the time it takes to save a few bucks.
 
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Customers who use Samsung's self repair program will be provided with step-by-step repair guides for replacing display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports, with used parts returned to Samsung for recycling.
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"Used" parts? Don't they mean "refurbished"?
 
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I mean, this is obviously a good thing, but I do have to chuckle about the fact that this seems necessary for Samsung since they provide basically no direct support for their devices. Don't need customer service if the customer takes care of it themselves!
 
SSDGUY said:
I'm pretty handy with the self-fixins' but last time I tried to self-repair the battery on my iPhone I broke it. :( I think I'm done with all the tiny ribbon cables, glue strips, and the time it takes to save a few bucks.
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It’s not all about saving money. When people repair their own property they usually care more about doing it right than someone else will be.
 
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MacRumors said:
step-by-step repair guides for replacing display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports
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The article for Apple said they'd start with battery, camera, display. Fingers crossed their phased release adds other repairs like back glass. Apple until recently made you replace whole device for broken back glass. Or iPad screens... the 'sealed unit that can't be repaired' mentality needs to go for iPads.

Edit: spelling and clarified point
 
While this seemingly “matches” Apple, you have to take into account the huge difference between the two company’s historical OS support. The window of performing such repairs as Samsung’s program will theoretically make possible is going to be so much smaller than Apple’s. Why spend resources repairing hardware that is near such a huge drop in utility, which occurs when OS updates are no longer available?
 
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suns93 said:
While this seemingly “matches” Apple, you have to take into account the huge difference between the two company’s historical OS support. The window of performing such repairs as Samsung’s program will theoretically make possible is going to be so much smaller than Apple’s. Why spend resources repairing hardware that is near such a huge drop in utility, which occurs when OS updates are no longer available?
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Since we're making generalizations, people who keep their phones for 4+ years aren't the ones who are after the latest features and functionality, or are those who can't afford to get a new device (or kids whose parents won't get them new phones every year or two).

For them, if you can minimize their cost by allowing them to replace a cracked screen or weak battery and hold off upgrading for another year or two, that's probably a win. They won't care that they're 1-2 (or more) OS updates behind unless it impacts the functionality of an essential app or feature.

It's not like the hardware bricks overnight because the OS is a couple of years out of date. My last phone was 4 years old before I replaced it and it was fine, save for a little lagginess and weak battery.

Also, there is a lot to be said for owners of phones which are out of warranty, but still well within the update window (as all new Samsungs get 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates).
 
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Danfango said:
It's early 22 until the last day of June :)
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Is there no middle of 22 then? By your logic, there's only early and late.

If they're not specific enough to use quarters, then in my mind early 2022 is the first four months, mid is the middle four months, and late is the last four months.

I've never heard anyone say June 30th is early in the year.
 
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xJus10x said:
Is there no middle of 22 then? By your logic, there's only early and late.

If they're not specific enough to use quarters, then in my mind early 2022 is the first four months, mid is the middle four months, and late is the last four months.

I've never heard anyone say June 30th is early in the year.
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Well it’s not late 2022 so it must be earlier ?
 
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iSellpartsandmanualsforyoutofixit, or in other word, uFixit.
 
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rum0rm0nger said:
Since we're making generalizations, people who keep their phones for 4+ years aren't the ones who are after the latest features and functionality, or are those who can't afford to get a new device (or kids whose parents won't get them new phones every year or two).
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I don’t understand your point.

You propose that Apple supporting their OS longer than Samsung has no value because those who keep their phones longer don’t like new things? That’s preposterous. The vast majority are doing so because of cost consciousness. Apple’s continued support offers tremendous value to those that hold onto their phones for a long period of time.

This value can be be quantified by the iPhone’s commanding lead over Samsung in depreciation (https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/cell-phone-depreciation-report-2020-2021/)

rum0rm0nger said:
For them, if you can minimize their cost by allowing them to replace a cracked screen or weak battery and hold off upgrading for another year or two, that's probably a win. They won't care that they're 1-2 (or more) OS updates behind unless it impacts the functionality of an essential app or feature.
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Again, assuming cost conscious consumers wouldn’t value additional support - which allows them to keep their device (and thus save money) for a longer period of time - is a wild take.

It's not like the hardware bricks overnight because the OS is a couple of years out of date. My last phone was 4 years old before I replaced it and it was fine, save for a little lagginess and weak battery.
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True, it does not brick. But more and more people, especially cost conscious consumers, rely on their smartphone as their only computer. Continued support is that much more important - and security updates are paramount.

Also, there is a lot to be said for owners of phones which are out of warranty, but still well within the update window (as all new Samsungs get 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates).
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I can agree, in such a time frame, there is little difference between the two companies.

You are incorrect, not all devices are set to receive the extended updates. And not to mention, Samsung just announced this last month - they are far from proving they are true to their word. Conversely, Apple’s iPhone 5s released in 2013 received 6 years of full iOS updates.
 
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