iFixit is back with a new teardown, and this time it has put the newly launched Pixel 9 Pro to the test. The DIY repair guide provider has published a teardown video of the new Pixel, revealing its innards and repair improvements. The teardown suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro is easier to repair than the Pixel 8 and last year’s Pixel 8 Pro.
Notably, Google claims the Pixel 9 series is “twice as durable” as the Pixel 8 series. That said, let’s go through the entire disassembly. And see what changes Google 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 repairability
According to the Pixel 9 Pro teardown, Google has opted for a new dual-entry design for this year’s Pixel. This makes the new Google phone more repairable overall than the Pixel 8 series. The new design allows the front and back of the phone to be removed independently, so if you want to replace the battery, you can just remove the back panel and carry on without having to take the screen off.
For example, if you just want to replace a cracked screen, you can easily do that by removing the display panel. While the display panel is fairly easy to remove, it is quite fragile and can easily break during disassembly. iFixit points out that the battery removal process on the Pixel 9 Pro is still a disaster. During disassembly, the team had to forcefully release the power cell from the Pixel’s casing. So there are still many improvements that Google will consider for next year’s Pixels to improve the DIY repair process.
The new design has significantly improved the durability of the new Pixel
Furthermore, the iFixit teardown suggests that the Pixel 9 Pro’s new design has significantly improved its durability. The dual-entry design has helped Google improve its structural rigidity, allowing the device to better absorb shocks and direct them away from sensitive parts like the screen and back.
Notably, Apple followed a similar design strategy with the iPhone 14 series in 2023. However, Google does not seem to have perfected the implementation of the dual design strategy yet.
