Samsung to Sell Refurbished Galaxy Note 7 Phones amid ‘Environmental Concerns’

In response to criticisms that millions of recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones will be dumped with no regards to the environment, Samsung has announced three “principles” to assure customers that nothing will go to waste, including recycling materials and selling refurbished versions of the phone.

The Note 7 was recalled back in September of last year, after dozens of phones were reported to explode during the charging process. 2.5 million phones had been delivered, and tens of millions more ordered, making the recall one of the largest in history for the consumer electronics market. An update was announced in December for the US that would prevent remaining Note 7’s from charging or connecting to mobile networks, to ensure the last few remaining phones were no longer a danger.

Having taken back and stored all of the Note 7’s that were made, there were worries that the company would just dump all of the phones in a landfill with no regards to the environmental impact. In response, Samsung announced three ways that would alleviate these concerns:

First, devices shall be considered to be used as refurbished phones or rental phones where applicable.

Second, salvageable components shall be detached for reuse.

Third, processes such as metals extraction shall be performed using environmentally friendly methods.

According to Samsung, “salvageable components” may include semiconductors and camera modules, which would be “detached by companies specializing in such services and used for test sample production purposes.”

However, the inevitably cheap refurbished phones will not be available in the US. A Samsung representative told Consumerist that “Samsung will not be offering refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices for rent or sale in the U.S.” There are currently no details as to where exactly the phone will be available, but the name, specification and price range will be announced as soon it is ready to go on the market.

A final update will soon be pushed out to the remaining 3% to 4% of phones still in use worldwide that would completely “brick” them and prevent any further use.

Jack Hadfield is a student at the University of Warwick and a regular contributor to Breitbart Tech. You can like his page on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @ToryBastard_ or on Gab @JH.