Google Raises the Bar for DIY Repairs as Pixel Tablet Parts Now Available on iFixit
Google is deepening its partnership with iFixit as the latter has started offering spare parts and manuals for the Pixel Tablet.
In total, users can repair six components on the device: the rear camera, the screen (including the front lens), the battery, the USB-C port, the four speakers and the rear casing. Prices range from $25 for small parts to $200 for larger parts. As pricey as that may sound, be prepared for even higher costs. The individual tools you need, such as the suction cup, opening picks or tweezers, are not provided free of charge. You’ll need to buy this or the iOpener bundle in addition to the piece you need if you don’t have any tools saved from a previous repair. The final bill can be deceptively expensive.
Detailed instructions
Please note that each of the tutorials is labeled as “moderately difficult”. In the context of iFixit’s rating system, this means that fixing the Pixel Tablet can be tricky, but as long as you follow the instructions you should be fine. The good news is that the guides are very detailed. Each step is accompanied by an image to help people repair their devices.
For example on the Rear view camera replacement manualiFixit teaches you what to do to prepare the Pixel Tablet, how to insert the opening pick, and how to properly disconnect the lens. It’s a delicate process, as you can imagine. Moreover, iFixit warns users to take necessary precautions. It’s possible that the Pixel Tablet battery is swelling, so iFixit recommends that you first throw them away carefully before you continue.
The spare parts for the Pixel Tablet also appear to be available in the UK and Australia, although there is no price tag attached. We reached out to iFixit for more information. This story will be updated at a later date.
Analysis: a major shift
Google’s offering of parts for the Pixel Tablet strengthens the tech giant’s position as a leader in the self-repair movement. No other company offers the same level of support for smart displays. The only other option on iFixit, the Amazon Echo Show 5, pales in comparison. You can’t buy parts for it. Plus, Google lets people solve the problem Pixel 7 Pro, their current flagship phone. Other Android manufacturers, such as Samsung, are not so generous.
It looks like the company has plans to expand the iFixit partnership even further, as Pixel Fold owners will one day have the option to repair their foldable tablet. Again, Google is the only one doing this. However, the tech industry’s hesitation may soon change.
The state of California, home to many of the largest tech companies, recently approved own law on the right to repair requiring manufacturers to “keep repair materials … available for extended periods after production.” For products priced at $100 or more, such as smartphones, the period will last seven years. These materials range from hardware to “software and documentation”. It’s a major change in repairability right before our eyes. It will be interesting to see how tech companies adapt.
While we’ve got you, check out TechRadar’s list of the best business pc repair software for 2023.