While most consumers never really think about it, there’s a large group out there that want the option to be able to repair their own devices. But in the process of making devices more streamlined and durable, companies have strayed away from that notion, which means if there’s a repair that needs to be made, most times, you’ll be taking it into your local service center to make it happen.
While their outliers, like Fairphone, which builds products that can be repaired, we don’t see this much when it comes to wearables. The devices that fit on our wrist or fingers are now just so small that it makes it nearly impossible to have something modern, compact, and repairable all in the same package. Or so we thought.
A nice surprise by Google
Google’s latest Pixel Watch 4 delivers all of the above, which iFixit was able to uncover when it did a thorough tear down of the watch (via Android Authority). Perhaps the most interesting part about all of this is just how easy it is to gain access to the parts of the watch. You just need to pop off the watch bands, and then you’ll already have access to visible screws.
Once these screws are removed, you’ll be able to pop off the backplate, and then you’re already inside. From here, it’s just about removing the components carefully. You can even pop off the display without any issues because there isn’t any glue holding it down. You can get a better idea of the process by checking out the iFixit video.
While this watch is still new and there probably won’t be anyone looking to repair it ASAP, it’s nice to know that it can be done with relative ease. iFixit scores the Pixel Watch 4 a 9 out of 10, with the watch losing a full point because you need an uncommon driver to remove the display, and the part costs so much.
On the plus side, iFixit has a partnership with Google, which means you’ll be able to grab parts from the online vendor when they become available. The brand does offer parts for all Pixel devices, even the recently released Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. It’s a great resource if you’re looking to learn about the way your devices are built, so check it out.
Google Pixel Watch 4
- CPU
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Snapdragon W5 Gen 2
- RAM
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2GB
- Storage
-
32GB
- Battery
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455 mAh
- Software
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Wear OS 6
- Weight
-
36.7 g (without band)
The newest Pixel Watch sports an eye-catching new look, up to 40 hours of battery life, and 6 months of Fitbit Premium for free.