Expanded from One Year to Two
Reflects Criticism of Reverse Discrimination Against Korean Consumers
Starting in the new year, the warranty period for Samsung Electronics' tablet PC lineup, including the Galaxy Tab S series, will be extended to two years. For two years after purchase, any malfunction not caused by user error will be covered by the warranty, including free repairs. However, this extension will not be applied retroactively to products already purchased, so consumers should take note.
According to the IT industry on December 22, Samsung Electronics has decided to increase the warranty period for tablet PC products sold from January 1 next year from the current 12 months to 24 months. As a result, if a product malfunctions due to reasons other than user negligence, consumers will be eligible for free repairs within a maximum of two years. Previously, Samsung Electronics only offered a two-year warranty for Galaxy smartphones, but this will now be expanded to include tablet PCs.
Specifically, if a performance or functional failure occurs under normal use within the newly extended two-year warranty period after purchasing a tablet PC, free repairs will be available. However, if the malfunction is due to user negligence-such as dropping the product-consumers will still be required to pay for repairs, even within the warranty period.
This extension of the warranty period will not be applied retroactively. Therefore, tablet PCs purchased by December 31 of this year will continue to have a 12-month warranty period. Since the warranty period varies depending on the purchase date, consumers planning to buy Galaxy Tab products should pay close attention.
Samsung Electronics’ decision to extend the warranty period for tablet PCs appears to be a response to criticism of reverse discrimination against domestic consumers. Kim Hyun, a member of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out during last year’s parliamentary audit that in some countries, such as France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, the warranty period for Samsung Electronics’ tablet PCs is two years-one year longer than in Korea.
At the time, Samsung Electronics responded that the consumer service warranty period was set based on recommendations from the Fair Trade Commission’s consumer dispute resolution standards. Nevertheless, the company ultimately decided to extend the warranty period to two years. According to the revised consumer dispute resolution standards in 2019, the warranty period for smartphones was set at two years, while the period for PCs such as laptops and tablet PCs was set at one year.
Meanwhile, Apple, a competitor, also applies a two-year warranty period for iPhones sold in Korea in accordance with the Fair Trade Commission’s standards. However, the warranty period for the iPad, which is part of the tablet PC lineup, remains set at one year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
