Pixel Watch 4 have one brilliant detail. You might even buy them because of it.

It took three generations, but Google finally understood that a watch costing almost ten thousand crowns should be repairable. The Pixel Watch 4 brings a fundamental change – if they break, you don’t have to throw them away. After years where the only solution for a cracked display or a dead battery was to replace the entire watch, an elegant design solution is here that any more skilled DIYer can handle.

End of an ecological disaster

The first three generations of Pixel Watch had one major flaw – they couldn’t be repaired at all. Cracked display? Too bad. Degraded battery? Buy a new one. Google simply replaced the entire watch, which was not only expensive for customers without an extended warranty but also shameful for a company that prides itself on sustainability.

Two screws, no glue

The solution Google introduced with the Pixel Watch 4 is surprisingly simple. Underneath where the straps attach, there are two T2 screws. You unscrew them with a standard Torx screwdriver and gain access inside. No glue, no prying, no risk of damage.

Battery replacement then requires removing the haptic motor and two more screws. The display is a bit more complex – you need to disconnect the sensor on the back and unscrew four screws holding the glass. The entire process takes, according to Google’s demonstration, just 13 minutes.

Photo credit: Julian Chokkattu (WIRED)

The brilliant part is that Google used the same T2 screws almost everywhere. You don’t need a set of different screwdrivers like with other devices – just one tool is enough.

Water resistance remains

The biggest concern when repairing a watch? That it will lose its water resistance. Google solved this with a silicone O-ring that creates a seal when you reassemble the watch

It’s an important detail – for watches you wear all day, including showering or swimming, losing water resistance would be fatal. Apple handles it similarly, but their Self Service Repair program doesn’t cover watches at all. Samsung, on the other hand, doesn’t allow users to change the battery “for safety reasons.”

Spare parts from iFixit

Parts for the Pixel Watch 4 will be sold by iFixit, Google’s long-standing repair partner. iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens praises Google for designing the watch so that fragile biosensor connectors do not need to be disconnected when replacing the battery – these are often the most common cause of damage during home repairs.

For comparison – Apple Watch Series 10 received only 3 out of 10 points on iFixit’s repairability scale. Pixel Watch 3 had 4 points, Galaxy Watch Ultra a solid 7 points. Pixel Watch 4 should achieve a significantly better rating thanks to the new design.

Finally more chargers

By the way, Google also promises that third-party chargers will finally arrive for the Pixel Watch 4. Until now, accessories for Pixel Watch have been virtually non-existent – you might find something here and there, but the quality is often questionable. Google reportedly plans to collaborate with partners on new charging accessories.

Better late than never

Google took its time, but the result is worth it. Pixel Watch 4 prove that repairability and premium design are not mutually exclusive. They retained the round shape, water resistance, and compact dimensions, yet the watches are easily disassembled.

This is an important step for the entire market. When Google, Apple, and Samsung start taking repairability seriously, smaller manufacturers will have to follow suit. For customers, it means longer device lifespan and lower maintenance costs. And for the planet, less electronic waste. The Pixel Watch 4 will arrive on the Czech market on October 9th; you can pre-order them, for example, on Alza.

Are the new Pixel Watch 4 tempting you?

Source: WIRED, 9to5google