UPDATE: Since this insider info came from an unreliable source, we had our reservations with this report. But, in an email statement sent to The Tech Portal, a Samsung India spokesperson has confirmed that the said report is incorrect. He further reiterates that,
The report on Samsung planning to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 Smartphone in India is incorrect.
So, this takes us back to square one. We cannot yet confirm what Samsung plans to do with the more than 2.5 million defected Galaxy Note 7 devices. It cannot let them keep sitting in their dumping ground, else it might start another fire in their factory. Also, this move isn’t possible as the Korean government would slap hefty fines on the company if the phones aren’t disposed without any environment damages.
PREVIOUSLY: Samsung seems to be having a tough time getting over the Galaxy Note 7 explosion debacle. The said flagship has destroyed the Korean giant’s brand image and had to be laid to rest after multiple fires. But, Samsung now seems to be mulling over the decision to bring the Galaxy Note 7 back from the dead.
Samsung is currently looking to minimize losses and avoid environmental damage costs by selling refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices, reports local Korean publication Hankyung. The company plans to transform initially returned devices (i.e the first defective batch!) into usable devices, which can be resold. And if you remember, Samsung had revealed that more than 96 percent of the total Note 7 devices sold have been returned back to them.
Now, to make the exploding device reusable for consumers, Samsung is planning to swap out the massive battery packs that were the prominent cause of fires in the first place. Even in its investigation report, the Korean giant has listed two distinct battery flaws which caused Galaxy Note 7 devices to explode. Thus, it is replacing the original 3,500 mAh battery with smaller batteries, with a capacity of about 3,000 or 3,200 mAh.
Talking about the same, an industry official says,
[In the refurbished Galaxy Note 7] 3000 to 3200 mAh battery will be installed. It is a reflection of the fact that excessive battery capacity has been the cause of ignition.
Further, the report suggests that Samsung is planning to salvage all core component while refurbishing the device. The internals are expected to remain the same, except for the new battery pack. On the outside, the Korean giant is redesigning the case to most likely safeguard the users from future explosions. This new body will not only give the phone a new feel but also reassure users that the said device is not a defective one.
As for the sales, Samsung plans to make these refurbished devices available in emerging markets, such as India and Vietnam. But, the said refurbished devices may also be sold in South Korea before the next Note variant makes it to the market. The internal division is expected to start refurbishing the Galaxy Note 7 sometime in May. And the smartphones are expected to become available for sale as early as June this year.
