Samsung to bring back refurbished Galaxy Note 7

While everyone is gearing up for the launch of Galaxy S8, Samsung has issued a statement regarding its future plans with regard to Note 7. In the light of the protests by Greenpeace demonstrators, the South Korean company has committed to an environmentally-responsible disposition of the millions of recalled Galaxy Note 7 handsets.

Apparently, after using a reported 200,000 returned phones for testing, Samsung still has over 2.5 million left in inventory. After announcing last year that it would simply “safely dispose of the phones,” the company now plans to offer them back to the public in a newer, safer form

It will be a three part process: save salvageable components such as camera modules and semiconductors, extract metal parts with the help from “eco-friendly” third-party companies, and sell refurbished devices “where applicable.”

Some of the handsets will also be used as rental models, when customers with devices in for repair need temporary phones.

“The objective of introducing refurbished devices is solely to reduce and minimize any environmental impact,” Samsung told The Verge in a statement. It also hinted that the phone may be renamed entirely when more details are unveiled. “The product details including the name, technical specification and price range will be announced when the device is available. Samsung will not be offering refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices for rent or sale in the US.”

Reportedly, the device could arrive with a smaller capacity battery, in order to avoid the mistakes that led to last year's fiasco, though Samsung is also still working on those specifics.