iFixit is back with a new teardown and this time it took the newly launched Pixel 9 Pro for a ride. The self-repair instruction provider has posted a teardown video of the new Pixel, revealing its guts and repairability improvements. The teardown suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro is easier to repair than last year’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Notably, Google claims that the Pixel 9 series is “twice as durable” as the Pixel 8 series. That said, let’s go through the entire teardown. And see what changes Google has made to the design to improve the overall repairability and durability of the new Pixel.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s new dual-entry design has improved the repairability
According to the Pixel 9 Pro’s teardown, Google has opted for a new dual-entry design for this year’s Pixel. It has improved the overall repairability of the new Google phone than the Pixel 8 series. The new design allows both the front and rear of the phone to be removed independently. So, if you want to replace the battery, you can simply remove the back panel and proceed further, without having to remove the screen.
Similarly, if you just want to replace a cracked screen, you can do it by simply removing the display panel. While the screen panel is easy enough to remove, it is quite fragile and can easily crack during the disassembly process. iFixit notes that the battery removal process on the Pixel 9 Pro is still a mess. During the teardown, the team had to forcefully pry the power cell out of the Pixel’s shell. So, there are still a lot of improvements for Google to opt for next year’s Pixels to enhance the DIY repair process.
The new design has significantly enhanced the new Pixel’s durability
Furthermore, the iFixit teardown suggests that the new design of the Pixel 9 Pro has significantly improved its durability. The dual-entry design has helped Google to enhance its structural rigidity. It ensures that the device can better absorb and transmit shocks away from sensitive parts like the screen and rear.
Notably, Apple adopted a similar design strategy with the iPhone 14 series in 2023. That said, it appears Google is yet to perfect the execution of the dual design strategy.
2024-08-28 15:05:16