iFixit Cancels Partnership With Samsung Over Shitty Repair Practices

Two years ago, the independent repair advocates over at iFixit launched a partnership with Samsung in the hopes of making Samsung phones and other tech easier and cheaper to repair.

It didn't work out.

In an announcement issued this week, iFixit states that Samsung did very little to contribute to the partnership, and that its efforts toward making tech repair easier were largely decorative. The organization lamented that flashy press releases and ambitious initiatives don't mean much without follow-through":

As we tried to build this ecosystem we consistently faced obstacles that made us doubt Samsung's commitment to making repair more accessible. We couldn't get parts to local repair shops at prices and quantities that made business sense. The part prices were so costly that many consumers opted to replace their devices rather than repair them. And the design of Samsung's Galaxy devices remained frustratingly glued together, forcing us to sell batteries and screens in pre-glued bundles that increased the cost."

While iFixit says it will still offer guides to help consumers repair Samsung products, they'll no longer be Samsung's designated third-party parts and tools distributor, and the company won't be working closely with them on repair manuals (the org's repair guides are extremely helpful if you've never perused them, and can help save you from spending big bucks to mail things off for repair).

There are plenty of companies like Samsung that talk a good game on right to repair but then simply don't follow throw.

John Deere has repeatedly promised to do a better job on making its tractors easier and cheaper to repair, then just ignored those promises. Apple also gets lauded for its improved repair efforts, but will then turn around and lobby against state laws making life easier for consumers, while embracing practices (like parts pairing) that drive up repair costs for their customers.