Google’s new Pixel 3a forgoes a handful of features to lower the price, and it seems those changes actually managed to make this phone easier to repair compared to most of today’s flagships. In a teardown of the Pixel 3a, iFixit describes how this phone reminds them of when phones were easier to fix. Achieving a final score of 6 out of 10, the Pixel 3a is judged as being much easier to repair compared to most flagships today. That’s much better than the 4/10 the standard Pixel 3 managed. The Pixel 3a teardown from iFixit (which is absolutely packed with Avengers: Endgame jokes) points out that most of the components in this device are modular and can easily be replaced. Further, “repair-friendly” adhesive which stretches was used around the battery, and only one type of standard screw is used throughout. Those are all great for repairability, but there are, of course, some negatives. iFixit’s main complaints during the Pixel 3a teardown regard components that are a bit more fragile and could be broken. For one thing, there are “the myriad long, thin ribbon cables” inside which could easily be torn during a repair. The display assembly is thin and poorly supported too. It’s easy to remove but lacks water resistance and could be damaged during removal. That display is also connected to the motherboard with a single ribbon cable. However, there’s a great find in this Pixel 3a teardown. The new “gOLED” panel Google is using in these two phones is made by Samsung! Known for their stellar display quality, this is a great thing to see, and explains why these displays are so much better than most comparable devices. iFixit’s teardown further reveals an easily replaceable USB-C port, as well as confirming that the Pixel 3a does not have the same vibration motor as the higher-end Pixels. Instead, it’s got the same Linear Resonant Actuator found in most devices. There’s also confirmation of the lack of a Pixel Visual Core. More on Google Pixel 3a: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:<doc-sep>But at the same time, I'm really glad Google waited as long as it did to release this phone. For the last two days, I have been surrounded by people carrying $1000+ flagships, and they all love this thing. Utterances of disbelief at how a phone this cheap can be so good have been coming from every angle. And if this phone had come out alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL , I don't think it would have been the same story. There's a lot of discussion right now about why Google waited so long to release the Pixel 3a , and with good reason. On top of some fairly compelling evidence this phone was at least partially ready to go when the leaks started four months ago, we're not too far from the next Pixel being announced. In fact, in the exact same keynote Google announced the Pixel 3a we got told to expect a dramatically faster Assistant experience on the next Pixel. The whole thing is just sort of weird. Everyone knows and loves the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+, and in my opinion, that's kind of a shame. I say that because Samsung released a third phone with these two heavyweights that doesn't really get talked about. The Samsung Galaxy S10e wasn't reviewed by half of the usual suspects on the internet, because they were focused on the top tier. But if you look at everyone who did review it, they almost all universally love it. This phone isn't just competing with other $400 phones in the U.S., it gives people working at companies making $500 and $600 phones a reason to stay up at night. So why don't we hear more about this phone? Well, because it came out at the same time as the big shots and isn't nearly as flashy. Plus, because this is Samsung, the discounts started coming at carrier stores shortly after the phones were launched. Two months after the S10e was launched, its base price started competing with Samsung's other phones. Google's approach with the Pixel 3a series is brilliant. There are no phones at this price point that can compete with its camera. In several ways, this camera competes with other $1000 phones, a point Google clearly plans to make clear in its marketing soon. This phone isn't just competing with other $400 phones in the U.S., it gives people working at companies making $500 and $600 phones a reason to stay up at night. You combine that with the hype associated with putting one in every tech blogger's hand when there are no major launches scheduled and also make it available at almost every carrier, and it's a recipe for success you can only get away with if you're Google. Or maybe not. Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S10e would have been a bigger deal if it had been released separately from the other two. Perhaps if Samsung hadn't been so dead set on releasing three phones at different price points and specs to compete with Apple on every level, way more people would know about and love that phone. Do it again, Google<doc-sep>
What you need to know Repairability score of 6 out of 10. Uses a Samsung-made gOLED display. The biggest flaw is the use of many long ribbon cables that are easy to tear. Ifixit has given the new Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL a repairability score of 6 out of 10. This comes after a recent teardown of the two new midrange Pixel phones, where we also learned a little more about the internals. The new phones got positive marks in several categories, beginning with an easy to remove display that didn't require the use of a heat gun due to the adhesive that is used. This should make replacing the screen much easier if you happen to crack or damage it. On the flipside, the phones aren't sealed particularly well, and that's another reason why the Pixel 3a and 3a XL don't include a water resistance rating. Along with learning that the gOLED display used in the phones is manufactured by Samsung, iFixit also noted that the display is "thin and poorly supported." VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more Another win for the repairability score is the fact that the 3a only required one T3 Torx screwdriver for all of its screws. That's right, no need to bring a whole toolbox for this job. Overall, most of the components used are modular, including the USB-C port, which due to its frequent use has a high rate of failure. The batteries are also easy to remove and replace by using a stretch-release adhesive to keep them in place. The biggest blemish on the Pixel 3a's score came from the use of many long ribbon cables that are easy to tear and often get in the way during the dismantling process.