Samsung said last month that it has teamed up with repair experts iFixit to make DIY repairs easier. The company will start by selling parts like display assemblies, back glass, and charging ports for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, and Galaxy Tab S7+. Consumers interested in repairing their devices on their own will also get access to repair tools and step-by-step guides.
Smartphones, especially flagship phones, can be pretty costly to repair. For instance, Galaxy S22’s screen costs around $200 to repair and the phone itself goes for $800. I dropped my Essential phone when it was a few months old and since the high repair cost didn’t feel justified, I instead upgraded to a new phone after some months and I think many others might have done the same.
Samsung’s recent devices are eligible for up to four generations of Android OS upgrades, so it’s reassuring that we won’t have to buy a new phone ahead of time if the battery goes kaput or the display gets cracked.