Samsung SA ditches ADH repairs on Galaxy S8, offers paid service

Samsung’s last few flagship phones have all offered an accidental damage from handling (ADH) service, offering free screen repairs within a 24 month period. Now, the company has announced that a paid service will be replacing ADH for the Galaxy S8 handsets.

The new service, called Samsung Mobile Care, will see users pay R70 a month for two screen repairs in a 24 month period, with the first month being free for all users. Alternatively, users can pay R1299 up-front, if they’d prefer not to make a monthly payment.

Interestingly enough, Samsung claims that without SMC, consumers “run the risk of paying up to R10 000 to have their device fixed”. That “Infinity Display” has one downside, clearly.

“After the one month free trial customers who wish to extend the service plan can log their details onto the Samsung Rewards App which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Samsung App Store and a dedicated Samsung agent will be ready to assist. Alternatively they can contact the SMC contact centre on 0861 888 003 or email info@samsungmobilecare.co.za,” the company added in a press release.

The company has also moved to assure potential customers regarding battery issues.

“Furthermore, with every phone repair, Samsung conducts a standard battery test and if the battery’s power functionality is found to be less than 80%, the company will replace it without the customer paying additional fees.”

Samsung SA has ditched the ADH screen repair service in favour of a paid repair option for the Galaxy S8

There are a couple of caveats though, as the service isn’t transferable to other customers, and proof of purchase is required before repairs take place.

What about ADH on older flagships? Well, the company confirms that it’s not going anywhere.

“Samsung is not doing away with ADH service on previous devices, it is therefore important to note that SMC is not a replacement for ADH. SMC is a new product offering for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in order to align with the company’s global service strategy.”

The South Korean company also says that SMC is better than ADH (you’d expect them to do so) because the older service limited repairs to one free repair a year. SMC, meanwhile, offers two free repairs at any time during the 24 month period.

Featured image: A selfie with the Galaxy S8 during the SA launch event