Key Takeaways
1. The Pixel 9a is a budget-friendly smartphone priced at $499.99, designed to attract users to the Pixel ecosystem.
2. Despite using cheaper materials like a plastic back and Gorilla Glass 3, the Pixel 9a performed well in durability tests.
3. The phone’s battery is glued to the frame, making replacement difficult and potentially hazardous.
4. The outdated battery attachment method lacks modern pull tab adhesives, complicating disassembly.
5. Google’s choice of battery design is surprising given their partnership with iFixit, which promotes easier repairability.
Google’s Pixel 9a smartphone offers a budget-friendly way to enter the Pixel ecosystem, with Google making some cuts on materials and internal components to reduce the price to $499.99. Even with a plastic back, a Gorilla Glass 3 display, and a simpler design, the Pixel 9a has shown great performance during JerryRigEverything’s tough durability tests recently shared on YouTube.
Disassembly Findings
After putting the midrange phone through its paces for durability, Zach Nelson, the creator of the channel, proceeded to take the phone apart. During the disassembly, he found out that Google is using an outdated method to attach the battery to the phone’s case. Unlike many modern devices, including Apple iPhones, the Pixel 9a lacks adhesive strips with pull tabs that make battery removal easier. Instead, the battery in the Pixel 9a is glued to the frame, and while there are pull tabs present, they couldn’t get past the strong adhesive during Nelson’s video.
Difficult Battery Replacements
As a result of this battery adhesion system, replacing the battery of the Pixel 9a becomes quite challenging and potentially hazardous. The battery is stuck firmly to the case, and the glue does not budge even with an isopropyl alcohol solution, leading Nelson to forcibly detach the battery. This task might have been safer with tools like a guitar string or piano wire, but the best solution would have been for the manufacturer to design the battery for easier removal.
What’s particularly interesting is that Google opted for this less-than-ideal battery removal method, even though they have a partnership with iFixit, which advocates strongly for the right to repair movement.
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