Galaxy Note 7 scandal rumbles on
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 - 13:41:11
Samsung may be looking to the future, with many outlets reporting on the upcoming announcement of the firm’s latest flagship in early 2017, but customers and environmental campaigners are still focusing on the debacle surrounding the botched Galaxy Note 7 launch.
The Daily Mail reports that in North America an estimated 85 per cent of the Note 7 handsets which were sold following its release have been returned as part of Samsung’s mandatory recall. This means that 15 per cent are still being used by customers in spite of the fact that there is a risk of the battery combusting without warning.
The main complaint being levelled against Samsung by mobile recycling experts is that it has categorically stated that the recalled Note 7 handsets will not be refurbished for resale. This means that they will have to be dismantled and recycled, which is problematic not only because of the sheer number of devices involved, but also as a result of the fact that it is not currently possible to recycle 100 per cent of any electronic device.
Campaigners claim that while Samsung has decided to ditch the Note 7 to avoid further damaging its brand, the real disaster of this incident will be environmental in nature, since disposing of the recalled devices in a sustainable manner is extremely challenging.
When people sell their old mobile phones to recycling firms, many devices are given a few repairs and then resold, since this is the most efficient and cost-effective way to deal with unwanted electronics. Recycling is the next step if a handset is beyond repair, although whether this could be said about the recalled Galaxy Note 7 devices is up for debate.
Hopefully, mobile manufacturers will learn from Samsung’s mistakes and make phones that are easier to repair and recycle in the future.
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