By Google’s Pixel phones are emerging as the most repairable devices on the market. According to Stocklytics.com, Google’s Pixel phones are easier to fix, beating Apple’s iPhones and Samsung Galaxy, with 6 out of 10 points, or 60%, in repairability.
The site’s financial analyst, Edith Reads, comments:
Google provides a free public service manual and OEM replacement parts for common repairs, making its new Pixel 8 series rate higher in fixability.
Stocklytics financial analyst, Edith Reads
As smartphone designs have grown more complex, manufacturers have increasingly limited consumers’ ability to repair their devices at home. Companies like Apple have often cited concerns about security and maintaining high-quality standards as reasons for these restrictions. As a result, most modern smartphones now require trained experts to perform repairs, especially for components beyond the battery.
Several factors contribute to the low repairability scores of many current smartphones. Among the most significant are the use of strong adhesives and proprietary screws, which make disassembly and component replacement more difficult for non-professionals. Despite these challenges, the Pixel series has managed to stand out for its relative ease of repair.
Google’s Pixels have consistently attained high ratings for repairability. In 2016, the Pixel and Pixel XL scored 7 points. In 2017, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL also received 6 points, and in 2019, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL earned a 6 out of 10 score. These ratings highlight Google’s commitment to providing easy-to-fix smartphone models.
However, Google’s Pixel 7a slightly lags behind its counterparts, earning only 4 points on the scoreboard.
The latest Apple smartphones fall way below Google’s fixability ratings. The iPhone 15 series, the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Max, and the iPhone 15 Plus scored 4 out of 10 points.
iPhones score low primarily due to Apple’s practice of parts pairing, where components are digitally linked to a specific device via a serial number. This means only proprietary software can decouple the parts, making it difficult for independent repair shops or owners to perform repairs. Still, the company recently announced that this fall, owners of “select” iPhone models will be able to repair their devices with used, genuine parts while retaining full functionality.
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra scored just 4 out of 10. In 2019, the Galaxy Note10 5G and the Galaxy S10 scored even lower, with 3 points each. The Fold series fared worst, earning only 2 out of 10. Experts pointed out that the folding mechanism is prone to wear and could eventually damage the hinges. They also noted that replacing the battery is unnecessarily complicated, with a high risk of damaging the display during the process.
