Google is on the precipice of launching the Pixel Watch 2, but you should not buy it until the company makes official repairs available.
Google has to be kidding with its repair policy for the Pixel Watch. The company calls the $349 wearable “beautiful inside and out,” but it’s hiding an ugly secret from customers — there’s no way to repair a broken Pixel Watch.
Thanks to a report and Google’s recent confirmation, we now know that the Pixel Watch can’t be repaired by Google or any third-party repair services affiliated with the company. Want to repair it yourself? No official — or unofficial — parts are available to help you fix your smartwatch. This has to be the most archaic and careless policy for a modern wearable that’s soon to receive an upgrade in the form of the Pixel Watch 2. It’s even more appalling considering the company’s stance on recycling and ecological waste. So despite all the new features Google might pack in the Watch 2, no one should buy it if it remains unfixable.
Firstly, the design of the Pixel Watch, which leaks indicate to be similar to the Pixel Watch 2, doesn’t do it any favors when it comes to ease of repair. What Google markets as “a bold, circular dome design” is its biggest pain point as far as repairability is concerned. Multiple reports of people breaking the display of the Pixel Watch show that it easily dents or shatters from the curved sides. Some users have also documented damages to the glass back and failed to find any resolution from Google or elsewhere.
iFixit, which usually awards repairability scores to devices, failed to generate one for the Pixel Watch, and it’s Google’s official repair partner. That’s saying something.
I don’t need to remind you that this is a smartwatch and a Fitbit too.
