Samsung Finally Unveils Self-Repair Kits, But Only For a Few Phone Models

Samsung has taken its first, tentative child steps within the path towards giving customers the choice to self restore their units. These new restore kits are solely out there for just a few choose fashions, and new components may nonetheless value a reasonably penny.

On Tuesday, the corporate shared its new restore kits carrying real components in partnership with iFixit. The new kits include guides and instruments as effectively, however to date components are restricted to screens, charging ports, and again glass. Charging ports value $67 throughout the board, whereas screens run up round $230, however seemingly extra relying on the telephone mannequin. Back glass for every telephone hovers between $70 and $90.

The full listing of supported telephones consists of:

• Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Galaxy S20
• Galaxy S20+
• Galaxy S20 Ultra
• Tab S7+

Of course, that is nonetheless a fraction of the price of a new telephone (a brand new S21 goes for $530 with trade-in, or $850 usually), so contemplating the detailed directions supplied by the oldsters at iFixIt, it’s undoubtedly a consideration. The restore kits embody a return label to ship again damaged components to the corporate, which says they’ll get recycled.

Samsung introduced again in March that it was lastly leaping on the self-repair bandwagon, apparently seeing the sunshine solely when Apple introduced final yr it was going to let customers restore a few of their iPhones. Samsung has lengthy been reprimanded by the oldsters at iFixit for its fairly slapdash requirements on units just like the early Galaxy Folds, so it’s encouraging to see the 2 teaming up. The new program is at the moment restricted to the U.S., and naturally, this new set of restore kits doesn’t embody probably the most up to date fashions just like the Galaxy S22, Tab8, Galaxy Note, or the Galaxy Z Flip/Fold sequence.

Apple launched its iPhone restore kits in April for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third gen iPhone SE units. The firm determined for some purpose to supply instrument rental kits at practically $50 bucks for per week’s use. At the identical time, it provides considerably extra components and instruments for its choose product strains, together with cameras and sim trays. Its service has related pricing to Samsung’s, although the iPhone maker’s restore kits may cost a little barely much less in the long run because of return credit. Other than the free transport slip, Samsung doesn’t supply any credit for its return-recycle companies.

At the identical time, iFixit has criticized Apple’s self-repair program for making stocking up on backup components troublesome, which doesn’t impression particular person customers however hurts mother and pop restore retailers.

Though Samsung’s restore choices are comparatively easy in comparison with Apple’s choices, that they’re so restricted on which components you’ll be able to change is a giant sticking level, even with guarantees of extra coming sooner or later. This is a superb first step, however with how lengthy customers and authorities businesses have been demanding the correct to self-repair, Samsung’s efforts appear lackluster.

Other main tech corporations are additionally anticipating the discharge of their very own self-repair companies. Google mentioned again in April that it will have components out there for the Pixel 2 by Pixel 6 Pro out there later this yr, and the corporate guarantees to have restore choices for the UK, Canada, and Europe in addition to the U.S. Around the identical time, Microsoft launched a examine exhibiting the advantages of self-repair, and promised it will be working towards that finish. However, it has not made any public statements concerning the timing for the discharge of its personal self-repair service.