Google Pixel 9 Pro XL poses a repairability nightmare, one screw at a time

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has finally landed in the hands of teardown specialists, and what they’ve uncovered might make any DIY repair enthusiast cringe. While Google has been making strides with repair manuals and guides, the actual experience of opening up the Pixel 9 Pro XL reveals a device that’s more fortress than friendly.

First impressions can be deceiving, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is no exception. Popping off the back glass panel, aided by some isopropyl alcohol, felt almost too easy for Zack from JerryRigEverything. It was the kind of success that makes you momentarily forget the grueling challenges ahead. The combination of heat, solvent, and suction practically made the glass jump off on its own. A promising start, right?

But as Zack delved deeper, things took a turn for the worse. The internals, which previously made Google devices some of the best-looking phones on the planet, swiftly turned into a landscape of black tape, hidden screws, and mismatched fasteners. T4 screws surrounded the cameras and charging port boards — an odd choice that seemed to prioritize complexity over common sense.

Navigating the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s interior felt like playing a game of hide-and-seek even for the experienced Zack, except the screws were doing all the hiding. Five screws at the bottom, seven at the top, and a handful scattered under random pieces of black tape — Google, it seems, decided to test patience rather than practicality. And if that wasn’t enough, the screws varied in size, adding a delightful challenge for anyone brave enough to reassemble the device. One sneeze during teardown, Zack joked, and you’d be spending the next hour sorting screws like a hardware store clerk.

If there’s one thing that might have you running for the hills, it’s the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s battery removal process. Spoiler alert: it’s not pretty. The battery, boasting a respectable 5,060mAh capacity, is glued to the frame with the tenacity of a toddler clinging to their favorite toy. Google provides a pull tab but calling it a “pull tab” is generous. It’s more like a hint of a tab, leading nowhere. Even with a healthy dose of alcohol to loosen the adhesive, Zack found himself fighting a battle of wills — and losing.

It’s almost as if Google took a page out of Apple’s old playbook but missed the memo that even Apple has moved on. Replacing the battery in this phone is not just a chore — it’s an ordeal. And while you’re prying away, take care not to puncture anything else, lest the challenge turns into a crisis.

Despite the hurdles, the Pixel 9 Pro XL does have some redeeming features. The camera modules are large, impressive, and even modular, with optical image stabilization on two of the three lenses. They snap into place like Legos — another area where Google might be aiming for an easier assembly line, even if it complicates disassembly. However, the ribbons and cables in this device are quirkier than a hipster coffee shop. A ribbon cable so massive it could be mistaken for a practical joke, and others so tightly integrated that removing one felt like untying a knot with one hand.

To Google’s credit, they haven’t left users entirely in the dark. The Pixel 9 series repair manuals are a godsend, offering 272 pages of step-by-step instructions for the Pixel 9 Pro, complete with diagrams and flowcharts. While the guides assume some prior repair knowledge, they do show you where each screw is hiding and what size you’ll need.

These manuals, which are available in English, even delve into specifics like how the Pixel 9 series doesn’t require UDFPS calibration. Handy, if you’re one of the brave souls attempting to bring your Pixel back from the brink.

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL may dazzle with its display and impress with AI smarts, the teardown experience is less of a walk in the park and more of a hike up a steep, rocky hill. Google’s shift towards more complex and less accessible design choices raises questions about their commitment to repairability and sustainability, especially for a company that publicly champions the environment.

With Samsung and Apple making strides to simplify their device repair processes, Google might want to reconsider its approach. After all, no one likes having to call for backup just to change a battery. For now, if you’re planning to tinker with a Pixel 9 Pro XL, keep your screwdriver handy, your isopropyl alcohol close, and your patience in ample supply. You’re going to need it.