Mastering Unique Challenges of Mobile Device Processing

Disposition facilities like HOBI process thousands of electronic devices, including mobile devices, laptops, tablets, headphones, and small household appliances. Many need to learn that processing looks very different for specific devices. For example, mobile device processing is much more complex and unique than processing other devices due to factors such as the operational system, the erasure solution, broken devices, and battery handling. It is essential to understand the unique nature of mobile device processing in the ITAD space to find an ITAD vendor that best suits your business’s needs. 

First, the erasure solution is entirely different. Electronic devices retain data well beyond their disposal. IT asset disposition facilities erase devices of any residual data before recycling, but mobile devices are not like traditional hard drives. Rather than a complete overwrite, mobile device data erasure deletes the customer data and restores the device’s operating system. The most challenging step is ensuring the clients’ personal data is erased while large amounts remain on the device. 

Electronics are fragile, and many mobile devices that are processed are broken. For this reason, it is important to have an ITAD provider with repair capabilities to maximize device financial recovery. Mobile devices also contain embedded batteries that are known to be extremely dangerous when damaged. Safe recycling requires an ITAD vendor who can safely remove and recycle the lithium-ion batteries. 

The disposition process is harsh for electronics, and if lithium-ion batteries are not removed from devices before destruction or recycling, they will likely be damaged, which can cause a thermal runaway. This results in a chemical fire that can take days or weeks to extinguish and can even re-ignite. LIBs have been the cause of hundreds of waste facility fires and continue to be a growing concern, so it’s imperative to have an ITAD provider skilled in battery removal and disposition.

Last, repair and refurbishment services are in high demand due to increasing electronics prices, and finding an ITAD vendor who understands the dynamic worldwide market for mobile devices can help maximize the return on resalable devices. 

HOBI International is an R2, RIOS, and ISO-14001 certified IT asset management and disposition enterprise with over 30 years of experience in the industry. As an industry leader, we provide top-tier ITAD services, including complete data erasure and repair and resale options for all mobile devices and tablets at our Dallas and Phoenix locations. HOBI’s trained professionals and safety standards ensure your IT assets are in good hands. 

For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.