[Courtesy of Samsung]
Samsung has recalled millions of its combustible Galaxy Note 7s since September last year. There were many questions over how one of the world's largest smartphone makers would do with the recalled phones and Samsung finally gave an answer: Galaxy Note 7 will be used as "refurbished phones or rental phones".
"Samsung Electronics has established three principles to ensure that Galaxy Note 7 devices are recycled and processed in an environmentally-friendly manner," the tech giant said an English online statement. According to Samsung, Note 7 will be used as refurbished phones or rental phones "where applicable".
The unrepairable Note 7s will have parts detached so they can be salvaged and reused. Components which cannot be reused go to metal extraction.
Samsung ambitiously released Note 7 in August last year but ordered a global recall a month later due to a series of fire caused by defective batteries. Many experts speculate that refurbished Note 7s are likely to be installed with smaller batteries to ensure safety.
Refurbished products are very common in home appliances, computing and smart devices. Many makers repair broken items submitted from service centers and sell them cheap with a limited warranty. Because of budget prices, they are sold to rational consumers.
Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
