French refurbishment specialist Recommerce has become the first player to join Samsung Electronics’s “Authorized Refurbisher Partner” program, a move that signals growing alignment between manufacturers and the secondary smartphone market.

As part of the initiative, Recommerce is now offering refurbished Samsung devices using the manufacturer’s genuine parts, tools and software. The products are available via recommerce.com and through a network of retail and telecom partners, positioning refurbished devices as a more structured and manufacturer-backed alternative to new sales.

The partnership introduces a refurbishment process directly aligned with Samsung’s own technical standards. Each device undergoes more than 100 diagnostic checkpoints based on the manufacturer’s specifications, supported by official Samsung repair tools designed to preserve key features such as waterproofing.

Defective components are identified using Samsung software and replaced exclusively with genuine parts, ensuring consistency with original product quality. Devices are also equipped with official Samsung accessories, including power cables, to maintain full compatibility.

Battery performance is another central element of the programme. Smartphones must meet a minimum threshold of 85% battery capacity, with any unit falling below this level fitted with a new original battery. In parallel, devices benefit from the latest system and security updates through Samsung’s official tools, ensuring a fully up-to-date user experience.

For Samsung, the programme reflects a broader effort to extend control and quality assurance into the refurbished segment, particularly for its premium Galaxy S and Z ranges.

“This support program aims to help repairers and key players in the circular economy refurbish Galaxy S and Z smartphones with the highest quality. Samsung is pleased to work with Recommerce, a pioneer in the circularity of Samsung smartphones in France and Europe, and the first partner to join this program,” said François Hernandez, Vice President of Samsung Electronics France in charge of the Mobile eXperience (MX) division.

The announcement also highlights the evolution of the relationship between manufacturers and refurbishers, which has traditionally been fragmented. By formalising partnerships and providing access to official components and tools, OEMs are increasingly seeking to integrate refurbishment into their broader lifecycle strategies.

For Recommerce, the agreement builds on an existing collaboration with Samsung, initially focused on trade-in programmes. The expansion into resale completes a more comprehensive circular model spanning device collection, refurbishment and redistribution.

“Recommerce, in its mission as a circular economy facilitator, is highly enthusiastic about supporting committed players like Samsung. This partnership, which began nearly ten years ago on trade-in, has now expanded to include resale, thus offering a complete refurbishment solution. Trust is the foundation of the circular economy. By combining our repair expertise with Samsung’s genuine components and tools, we are removing the barriers for consumers choosing to switch to refurbished. Our ambition is simple: to offer technological excellence at the right price for responsible consumption without any compromise on quality,” said Augustin Becquet.

The move reflects a broader trend across the industry, where OEM-backed refurbishment programmes are emerging as a way to address both sustainability goals and quality concerns. By bringing refurbished devices closer to original manufacturing standards, such initiatives aim to reinforce consumer trust — long seen as one of the key barriers to wider adoption.

As the secondary market continues to grow, partnerships like this could play a defining role in shaping a more structured and standardised refurbishment ecosystem, where performance, traceability and reliability are increasingly aligned with the expectations set by new devices.