Samsung to start selling refurbished phones, report says

Starting as early as next year, customers will be able to buy a refurbished, high-end Samsung smartphone, according to Reuters, which quotes sources familiar with the matter. 

Under the program, phones returned by customers who signed up for the one-year upgrade program will be offered at lower prices. 

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The report doesn't say how much a discount customers will get, or in which markets the refurbished devices will be available. Samsung's competitor Apple offers refurbished products in several markets, including the U.S. 

Samsung's Galaxy S7 costs $670 in the U.S.; the Galaxy S7 Edge starts at $780, while the recently launched Galaxy Note7 costs $850. 

The move would open up a new revenue stream for Samsung and help it compete against low-cost Chinese phones, especially in markets such as India, where most customers cannot afford a high-end Samsung phone. 

There are risks involved, too: Samsung already offers a number of mid-range phones, and selling cheaper, refurbished versions of its high-end phones could hurt its sales in this department.