Samsung's Galaxy Upcycle promised to make old phones useful, then won an award for giving up
Hacker News
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
In 2017, Samsung introduced an ambitious sustainability initiative called Galaxy Upcycling, which aimed to repurpose old Galaxy phones into devices like smart home sensors, baby monitors, or even retro gaming consoles. The program was co-launched with iFixit and received widespread excitement from the open-source community due to its potential for fostering innovation and reducing electronic waste. However, despite initial promise, the project stalled for years, and when Samsung finally released Galaxy Upcycling at Home in 2021, it fell far short of expectations.
The original vision was to unlock old phones' bootloaders, enabling users to install custom operating systems and repurpose devices for creative uses. This would have created an open-source marketplace for developers to share applications tailored for recycled phones, leveraging their unused processing power, sensors, and connectivity features. The concept was groundbreaking, offering a practical solution to e-waste while encouraging tech enthusiasts to explore new possibilities.
However, internal resistance within Samsung likely doomed the project. Executives reportedly lacked enthusiasm due to the absence of a clear revenue model. Unlocking bootloaders could have caused PR headaches by making it easier for users to modify Samsung devices or access competitors' ecosystems. Moreover, extending the lifespan of old phones directly contradicts Samsung's core business of selling new devices, particularly its trade-in programs that prioritize回收old phones for resale.
The failure of Galaxy Upcycling highlights a critical dilemma facing tech companies: balancing sustainability with profitability. While innovative ideas like this can inspire excitement and address environmental concerns, they often struggle to gain traction without a clear path to revenue. Samsung's experience underscores the challenges of implementing projects that challenge traditional business models, even when they align with broader societal goals.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/23/2026