OEM Chip vs New Chip: What's the Difference?
One of the most common questions customers ask when purchasing remanufactured ink cartridges is whether the cartridge contains a reused OEM chip or a newly manufactured replacement chip.
Both options are widely used throughout the remanufactured cartridge industry and both are designed to allow the cartridge to function properly in the printer. However, there are some important differences that customers should understand.
What Is an OEM Chip?
An OEM chip is the original electronic chip that was installed on the cartridge by the printer manufacturer.
During the remanufacturing process, the cartridge is collected, cleaned, rebuilt, refilled, tested, and prepared for reuse. In some cases, the original OEM chip remains attached to the cartridge and continues to communicate with the printer.
Because the chip retains information from its previous use, it may continue to display the cartridge's prior ink status.
As a result, cartridges using OEM chips may:
Although the ink level display may not be accurate, the cartridge itself can still function properly and deliver its full page yield.
What Is a New Chip?
A new chip is a newly manufactured replacement chip designed to work with a specific cartridge model and printer platform.
Because the chip is new, it typically allows the printer to display current cartridge status and more accurate ink level information.
Cartridges using new chips often:
For many customers, the primary advantage of a new chip is the ability to monitor ink levels throughout the life of the cartridge.
How Firmware Updates Can Affect Cartridges
Printer manufacturers occasionally release firmware updates that modify how printers communicate with cartridges.
Because OEM chips are original manufacturer components, they are generally less likely to be affected by firmware-related compatibility changes.
New chips may become affected after a firmware update is released for certain printer models. If the firmware update causes compatibility issues, the cartridge can become inoperable.
Some users choose to disable automatic firmware updates to avoid unexpected cartridge compatibility changes.
What About HP e-Series Printers?
Certain HP printer models that use HP's cartridge authentication systems may have additional requirements regarding cartridge recognition.
For some printer families, including models that use HP 952, 962, 910, and 902 series cartridges, printers may require original OEM chips in order to function properly with remanufactured cartridges.
Because printer requirements vary by model, customers should always verify compatibility when purchasing cartridges for these systems.
Which Option Is Better?
There is no universal answer.
Some customers prefer OEM chips because they are original manufacturer components and are generally unaffected by firmware changes.
Others prefer new chips because they provide more accurate ink level monitoring and a user experience similar to a new cartridge.
Both approaches are widely used throughout the remanufactured cartridge industry, and both can provide reliable printing performance when properly manufactured and tested.
The best choice often depends on the specific printer model and the customer's preferences regarding ink level reporting and firmware compatibility.