It’s Official: Samsung Intends To Sell Refurbished Galaxy Note 7 Phones

Two days before launching its big champion in the ring, Galaxy S8, Samsung is confirming what seemed to be just a rumor. The South Korean manufacturer intends to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 smartphones #mobilemagic

Last month, we were talking about the remote possibility of seeing the infamous Galaxy Note 7 on the market again. After the phablets started catching fire last fall, the manufacturer recalled them and tried to replace the faulty devices. Only the problem went deeper and soon, production was halted and users were urged to give them back.  In the end, Samsung’s investigation revealed flaws in the battery casings and then, in the batteries themselves. 

It didn’t seem Samsung would ever want to reopen that Pandora box. Now, though, after re-evaluating their testing processes, the company is ready to offer refurbished versions of the devices or rentals “dependent upon consultations with regulatory authorities and carriers as well as due consideration of local demand.” That means they are going to be available only on certain markets where demand is favorable. We’ll come back with the sale dates as well as the countries where this is set to happen when the information will be available.

Meanwhile, semiconductors and camera modules from the remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones will be “detached by companies specializing in such services and used for test sample production purposes.” Other parts will go to recycling, as Samsung plans to join to EU’s R&D and test efforts to develop new eco-friendly processing methods.