Google has been a player in the smartwatch space for a few years now, and while its models are popular choices among those already in the Google ecosystem, the tech giant makes some odd choices that make the wearables polarizing to others. For example, repairability. All the current Pixel Watch models simply can't be repaired, only replaced.
Obviously, that's not fantastic for the environment. If your Pixel Watch screen cracks, you won't be able to get it fixed, and the device will ultimately end up as e-waste. That's not a fantastic product strategy. It took Google three generations to take things seriously, but according to exclusive information, this could be the year that changes.
Google's Unrepairable Smartwatch Heritage Will End With the Google Pixel Watch 4
Even though no one buying a device expects to break it or damage it, it is smart to consider that as a possibility. After all, accidents happen. That's why people buy cases, screen protectors, and insurance plans for their smartphones and wearables.
However, if you have bought any of the Pixel Watch options since Google launched the device category, then you'll likely know that none of those smartwatches are repairable. If you crack the glass, you can't have it peeled off and replaced with a new one. The whole watch will end up in the trash, and it'll be replaced in its entirety. That's not a very environmentally-friendly approach if you think about it.
| Launch Year | iFixit Repairability Score | |
| Google Pixel Watch | 2022 | 4/10 |
| Google Pixel Watch 2 | 2023 | 4/10 |
| Google Pixel Watch 3 | 2024 | 4/10 |
The good thing is, according to Android Headlines, the Pixel Watch 4 will finally break away from that curse. The smartwatch should allegedly be repairable, which might mean that if your screen cracks (more likely than other smartwatches due to the domed glass design) or your battery starts degrading, it'll actually be possible for technicians to pop it open and replace the necessary parts.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 Should Bring a Few Hardware Upgrades
Google seems to have fallen deeply in love with software and AI in recent years. As a result, I personally didn't think that there'd be any hardware upgrades of note in this year's smartwatch. However, I might be wrong on that count. Android Headlines has reported on some major aspects of the Pixel Watch 4's spec sheet, and it looks like there might be a few improvements coming alongside the better repairability.
- A brighter screen: 3,000 nits of peak brightness; 2,000 nits last year
- A bigger battery: 325mAh cell for the 41mm size; 307mAh cell last year
- New co-processor: Google M55; should handle five times the AI workload
- Launches with Wear OS 6
Besides those, a lot will remain the same. You'll still get the sole 2/32GB storage configuration and the aging Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip to power things. The design is also expected to stay the same, so don't expect anything substantial there. We'll know the full story on August 20th, though.
