Google Pixel 9a Gets Teardown, Scores 7.5/10 for Repairability

Highlights

• The Google Pixel 9a received a score of 7.5/10 from PBKreviews in a recent teardown.
• The battery removal process appears tricky due to strong adhesive and non-traditional pull tabs.
• Replacing the screen is straightforward with easy access to the display cable without needing to open the back.

Caption – Google Pixel 9a appears in a recent PKBreview’s teardown video. (Image credit – PKBReviews on YouTube)

Google announced the Pixel 9a last month, but its release got delayed due to some unknown issue. Now, the phone is finally expected to hit the stores on April 10. In the meantime, YouTuber PBKreviews managed to get his hands on a unit and took it apart in one of his classic teardown videos. Here’s how it faired.

Google Pixel 9a Teardown

PBKreviews gave the phone a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, where 10 means easiest to repair and 0 means the hardest. The Pixel 9a scored full 2 out of 2 marks for its internal design, parts availability and ease of screen replacement.

But it didn’t do quite as well in other areas. Replacing the battery only got it 1 out of 2, and replacing smaller internal parts proved to be more difficult, scoring just 0.5 out of 2.

Google Pixel 9a Repairability

Caption – Google Pixel 9a teardown video reveals a plastic back panel. (Image credit – PKBReviews on YouTube)

The most common smartphone repairs are usually the screen, battery and back panel. In the case of the Pixel 9a, the back is made of plastic, so it’s unlikely most people will ever need to replace it. If you do, removing it is fairly standard and need just heat and a suction cup similar to the older Pixel models.

As for the battery removal process, it is where things get tricky.

According to the PKBreviews teardown, Google uses a different kind of pull tab here. You need to slide it back and forth to slice through the adhesive. Unfortunately, the adhesive is so strong that the pull tab often breaks. When that happens, you’ll need to apply a solvent like isopropyl alcohol to loosen the glue. Even then, prying is still required, which risks damaging the soft battery covering.

In the worst cases, it could even cause a fire, which is something older Samsung phones used to struggle with before switching to traditional pull tabs.

Meanwhile, the teardown reveals that replacing the screen of the Pixel 9a is relatively simple. You only need to pry off the screen and the display cable can be disconnected from the board without opening the back, which is a nice touch. The heat dissipation system also looks solid, meaning the Tensor G4 chip should perform well with everyday tasks.

Check out the full teardown video below –

FAQs

Q1. What repairability score did the Pixel 9a receive from PBKreviews?

Answer. The Pixel 9a received a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, excelling in screen replacement and internal design.

Q2. Why is the battery replacement process challenging for the Pixel 9a?

Answer. The battery replacement is difficult due to strong adhesive and unconventional pull tabs, requiring additional tools and careful handling.

Q3. What makes screen replacement easier for the Pixel 9a?

Answer. The screen can be replaced easily as the display cable is accessible without opening the back, reflecting a well-thought-out design.

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