Google's Pixel Watch 4 is a game-changer for smartwatch repairability, offering a level of accessibility that Apple's latest Apple Watch 11 can only dream of. The watch's design philosophy is a stark contrast to the industry norm, where smaller devices often equate to more complex repairs. iFixit's recent teardown of the Pixel Watch 4 has revealed a well-thought-out design that prioritizes ease of repair, earning it an impressive 9/10 repairability score. This is a significant improvement over the Pixel Watch 2, which received a 4/10 due to custom adhesives, and the Pixel Watch 3, which Google explicitly discouraged from being repaired. The Apple Watch Series 10, another recent teardown, scored a mere 3/10, highlighting the challenges posed by Apple's reliance on glue and difficult-to-access parts. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, while better than Apple's offering, still falls short with its tri-point screws and internal gaskets, earning a 7/10. Google's commitment to making the Pixel Watch 4 easy to repair is a bold move that could set a new standard for the industry, and it's one that we hope other smartwatch manufacturers will follow.
