Google Pixel Watch 4: World’s Most Repairable Smartwatch, iFixit

Key Takeaways

1. Apple charges $99 for battery replacement, making DIY repairs difficult.
2. Google Pixel Watch 4 features easy access to repairs with screws instead of adhesive.
3. Smart design choices include a vibration motor connected via metal pins and a battery held by screws.
4. The Pixel Watch 4 has impressive specs, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 chip and 32 GB of storage.
5. The watch received a high repair score of 9/10 from iFixit, with future plans for direct consumer spare parts and repair manuals.

Anyone looking to swap out the battery in an Apple Watch will need to fork out $99 to Apple, as attempting to do it yourself is nearly impossible. However, the new Google Pixel Watch 4 shows that fixing smartwatches doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Easy Access to Repairs

Right from the moment you open it up, you can see the difference. Instead of using a ton of adhesive to connect the display and back, Google cleverly opts for two screws along with a rubber ring to keep the watch waterproof. After loosening these screws, which are cleverly hidden beneath the strap connector, the back can be taken off easily. This rubber ring effectively prevents water from reaching the electronics.

Smart Design Choices

The vibration motor connects via metal pins, eliminating the need for a flex cable that could easily get damaged during repairs. Ingeniously, the screws that secure the motor also hold the battery in position, along with two extra screws; no adhesive is used for the battery. Notably, the display is also attached with screws and a rubber ring, completely avoiding adhesive.

Impressive Specs and Repair Rating

Inside, the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 chip works alongside 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash storage on a motherboard that is also fairly easy to replace. Overall, the Pixel Watch 4 earns an iFixit repair score of 9 out of 10 possible points—points were deducted mainly because the replacement display costs more than a new screen for many smartphones. In the future, spare parts will be sold directly to consumers, and official repair manuals are already accessible.

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