Google Pixel Watch 5 Teardown Shows a Smartwatch Built With Repairs in Mind
The Google Pixel Watch 5 is shaping up to be one of the most repair-friendly smartwatches on the market, according to the latest teardown findings from iFixit. Instead of following the common industry trend of sealing wearable devices with strong adhesive, Google continues to use a more accessible internal design that makes key components easier to reach and replace.
This approach closely follows the repair-focused design introduced with the Pixel Watch 4, which earned an impressive 9 out of 10 repairability score. With the Pixel Watch 5, Google appears to be keeping that same philosophy alive, giving the new model another provisional 9 out of 10 rating.
One of the standout features of the Pixel Watch 5 teardown is its latch-and-o-ring construction. This setup is more similar to what you might find in a dive watch than in many modern smartwatches. Rather than fighting through layers of glue, repairers can remove the sensor glass by undoing just two screws. That design choice makes it much easier to access important internal parts such as the battery, vibrator motor, and mainboard.
For anyone who has dealt with difficult smartwatch repairs before, this is a major advantage. Many wearables are compact, tightly packed, and heavily glued together, making even a simple battery replacement frustrating or impractical. The Pixel Watch 5 takes a different route by making serviceability part of the design rather than an afterthought.
Google has also made a few small but useful refinements in this generation. One of the most practical additions is the use of color-coded screws, which help guide users through the disassembly process. This may sound like a minor detail, but for repair technicians and careful DIY users, it can make the process clearer and reduce the chance of mistakes.
The battery has also received a modest upgrade. In the 45mm version of the Pixel Watch 5, the battery capacity has increased to 465 mAh. That is about 2.2% larger than the previous generation. While this is not a massive jump, every improvement matters in a smartwatch, where battery life is one of the most important daily-use features.
Inside, the Pixel Watch 5 also brings upgraded hardware. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated platform, giving the watch a faster and more efficient chip. The device also includes 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. These specifications should help improve overall responsiveness, app performance, and long-term usability.
Not every part of the repair process is perfect, though. Removing the display is more involved than accessing the rear components. The process requires removing several screws, a bracket, and a press connector. iFixit noted that this area could still be simplified in future models. Even so, the overall design remains far more repair-friendly than many competing smartwatches.
Another important factor is Google’s support for repairs beyond the hardware design itself. The company provides repair manuals and spare parts, which makes the Pixel Watch 5 more practical to maintain over time. A repairable device is only truly useful if owners and technicians can get the parts and guidance needed to fix it properly.
The Pixel Watch 5’s provisional 9 out of 10 repairability score puts it in rare company among modern wearables. Smartwatches are often treated as disposable once their batteries wear out or internal components fail, but Google’s latest model shows that compact devices can still be designed with repair in mind.
It is also worth noting that iFixit disclosed a business relationship with Google at the end of its teardown video. However, the repair organization emphasized its long-standing preference for products that are easier to fix.
Overall, the Google Pixel Watch 5 continues one of the most encouraging trends in wearable technology. It combines updated performance, a slightly larger battery, and a design that makes repairs more realistic. For buyers who care about longevity, sustainability, and serviceability, the Pixel Watch 5 may be one of the most appealing smartwatch options available.
