Samsung reportedly plans to refurbish, resell Note 7 in emerging markets

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in General Discussion
Samsung is planning to sell refurbished units of the Galaxy Note 7 with smaller batteries in emerging markets, according to a South Korean report, in an attempt to mitigate some of the costs incurred as part of the electronic giant's battery-related smartphone recall.




Sources of the Korea Economic Daily claim Samsung will be reusing the core components from the recalled Note 7 in the refurbished units, with the manufacturer replacing the external casing of the device. The battery, the source of faults that prompted a global recall of the smartphone, will be switched for a lower-capacity version, down from the 3,500mAh used in the original to one offering between 3,000mAh and 3,200mAh of charge.

Divisions working on the refurbishment project aim to finish work by May, with the Note 7 going on sale again from June. While it is unlikely the Note 7 will reappear in the United States or Europe, the refurbished units will be mainly sold in emerging markets, including India and Vietnam.

A company official told the report it is possible the Note 7 could be "aggressively" sold through carriers in South Korea, possibly at a reduced price before the expected launch of the Galaxy Note 8 later this year.

Refurbishing and reselling the Note 7 may aid Samsung financially in a few ways. The company has previously advised the battery fiasco has cost it an estimated $5 billion, so reselling the infamous smartphone in a safer form could help reduce this figure.

Salvaging the recalled devices for components could also help Samsung avoid paying a fine for damaging the environment. The South Korean environment ministry has suggested it could levy a fine against the company if it "does not observe recycling obligations" for the returned stock.

So far, 98 percent of the 3.16 million smartphones sold have been recovered as part of the recall, with 200,000 units reportedly used as part of investigations into what caused the device fires.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 41


    Do the refurbished phones come with this sticker?  
    chiacyberzombiecalivukasikajbdragonmagman1979watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 41
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    If anyone by-mistake bring Note 7 on plane in USA or where ever ban, can go to prison and pay fine.
    radarthekatcalir00fus1jbdragonpscooter63magman1979watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 41
    irelandireland Posts: 17,798member
    A refurb of a Note 7 is as simple as putting in a new pin.
    tmayvukasikawatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 41
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,092member
    I hope Samsung rebrands the Note7 with an entirely different name, or even a "7+" or something.  This cluster-f**k will cause nothing but confusion at airports where they have been banned.


    TomSawyerbb-15pscooter63watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 41
    What emerging market? Middle East?
    macseekerr00fus1watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 41
    And they thought that their reputation took a hit last year? Well, that ain't seen nothing yet once word of this gets around. Unsusprecting people will do jail time for haveing one of these.

    Everyone of these devices should should be dismantled and sent for recycling.

    chiazroger73magman1979brakkenwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 41
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    Perhaps they are not being sold  as 'phones' rather BBQs bricks maybe?
    caliwatto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 41
    levilevi Posts: 344member
    And Indian officials are concerned about Apple and other selling used ware...
    calijbdragonstompybrakkenwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 41
    aknabiaknabi Posts: 211member
    I've heard emerging markets are exploding... ba-dum-dum-ching... don't forget to tip your server
    TomSawyerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 41
    I see this is a hot topic.
    caliwatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 41
    ceek74ceek74 Posts: 324member
    What emerging market? Middle East?
    Antarctica?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 41
    Sell them to those we are at war with first. They'll all get 'blowed up real good'.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 41
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,056member
    When I saw this headline, my first thought was "AI is now citing The Onion?"

    What emerging market? Middle East?
    That prison cell where Mr. Samesung is right now.

    jcdinkins said:
    I see this is a hot topic.
    This will certainly spark some burning questions. 

    jcdinkinscalipscooter63watto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 41
    kevin keekevin kee Posts: 1,289member
    Well, if by emerging markets they mean poor and stupid, Samsung is in for a reality check. Sadly some people, from emerging market notwithstanding, would still buy them even with explosives tag.
    jbdragonwatto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 41
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,152member
    Qantas still asks passengers not to bring a Samsung note 7 on the aeroplane in their safety lecture.
    calimagman1979watto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 41
    volcanvolcan Posts: 1,799member
    sflocal said:
    I hope Samsung rebrands the Note7 with an entirely different name,
    A new name is key. With a smaller battery and a new case, they probably will be as safe as any of their earlier phones before Note 7. Hopefully they have learned their lesson. You can't fit ten pounds of potatoes in a five pound sack.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 41
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,625member
    Makes good sense if the phones can be made safe. Changing the case would differentiate between the original and the corrected version although a name change would further help in avoiding confusion. If it also reduces the losses and gives someone a decent phone at a cheaper price, Samsung loses (but a little less) but everybody else wins.
    radarthekat
  • Reply 18 of 41
    Judging from the factory fire earlier this year, I won't be surprised if these devices continue to smoke.
    calijbdragonmagman1979watto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 41
    Suuuuure. Re-release it in 3rd world countries where people can't afford lawyers to sue you when it explodes and burns their house down.
    caliwatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 41
    k2kwk2kw Posts: 2,075member
    Suuuuure. Re-release it in 3rd world countries where people can't afford lawyers to sue you when it explodes and burns their house down.
    Where did they find their new CEO?  Nestle?
    watto_cobra
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