• HMD Global has confirmed that iFixit repair kits for the Nokia G42 5G will not be supported in South Africa.
• The new smartphone was recently launched in SA for R4 999 (RRP).
• HMD adds that if you choose to use an iFixit kit on the Nokia G42 in SA, you’ll void your warranty.

A couple of weeks ago, HMD Global announced that it was launching the Nokia G42 5G in South Africa as its latest affordable smartphone.

The device was of particular interest to us as HMD launched the smartphone globally with an interesting after sales element. Here official iFixit repair kits could be used to fix certain elements on the phone, such as replacing the screen or battery.

We reached out to HMD Global to find out if the repair kits would be made available in South Africa in an official capacity, and if not, would a consumer potentially void their warranty if they purchased and used an iFixit kit purchased online.

Since our request for feedback, HMD has provided clarity:

“Currently iFixit self-repair solution is available in Australia, the United Kingdom, European countries and United States. As we continue to focus on repairability, we are working on increasing this country scope. Customers in all countries where HMD operates have standard repair option via authorised service partners. An unauthorised attempt to open the device may void the device warranty,” a statement shared via email explained.

“Use of iFixit in a country where it’s unavailable is considered an unauthorized attempt to open the device and the warranty can be voided as a result,” it added.

As such, should any South African consumers want to fix or repair anything on the Nokia G42 5G, they will need to go to an authorised repair centre or technician to do so. Should you not go down that route, you run the real risk of voiding the warranty on the smartphone.

Hopefully in future, South Africa will be included among the countries considered for the iFixit self-repair solution, as it is certainly an interesting prospect and a differentiator in an already saturated affordable smartphone market.