The Pixel 9 series brought some improvements and useful new features. Google improved multiple areas of its latest mobile flagships, although one of the most impactful changes is probably the least talked about. The company’s new smartphones are more repairable than before, including the foldable model. Now, a teardown shows the insides of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, confirming just how repairable it is.
If you’re not aware, the Pixel 9 series brings a new, more modular construction and internal component layout. This means that there are more parts not soldered to the motherboard. This helped significantly reduce the cost of the Pixel 9’s rear cover parts, and it’s now possible to change more parts, such as the USB-C port, without replacing the motherboard. The teardown, courtesy of iFixit, confirms that even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold benefits from modular internal construction, making it a small technological marvel that outshines its direct rivals in this department.
iFixit praises Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s repairability in teardown
Shahram Mokhtari, the person in charge of the teardown, explains the potential for repairability of the device. The technician says that the phone is “the most exciting foldable we’ve seen on the iFixit teardown table.” Considering how expensive foldable phones still are, having more repair options in case of damage can be a key selling point.
According to the report, parts like the USB-C port and SIM card tray are easily removable. Mokhtari was even able to remove the external display and rear cover without applying heat. In addition, Google implemented 3IP (Torx Plus) screws to make things even easier. As if that weren’t enough, Google itself offers repair guides for technicians. The teardown revealed some interesting things, such as some inspiration from the Galaxy Z Fold5’s gearless hinge design. However, Google achieved a true zero-gap experience when folding the phone, surpassing Samsung.
The foldable screen and battery were the most problematic components
That said, it’s still a foldable phone, which implies greater difficulty in repairing it than traditional phones. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold reflects this in the inability to remove the inner foldable screen without damaging it. Mokhtari also warns of some difficulty in removing the two-part battery from the phone. Although there are battery removal tabs, they “simply do not work, with or without the application of heat,” says the technician. Lastly, the logic board seems especially delicate, but this happens with practically every modern high-end mobile device.
2024-09-16 15:09:58