Google Pixel 10 Gets 6/10 Repair Score - Finally!

The Google Pixel 10 has been making waves in the tech community, and for good reason. iFixit's teardown reveals that this phone is shaping up to be one of the most repairable smartphones of 2025. With significant improvements over previous Pixel models and a provisional repairability score of 6 out of 10, Google seems to be listening to consumers who want devices that can actually be fixed. This is not just about making repairs easier, it is about making smartphones more sustainable and user-friendly in an industry that is often criticized for planned obsolescence.

The timing could not be better. Flagship phones now cost more than some people’s monthly rent, yet they are often built like disposable gadgets. The Pixel 10 looks like a break from that mold, with thoughtful engineering that favors longevity over throwaway convenience. About time, right?

What makes the Pixel 10 so repair-friendly?

Let us start with the headline change, battery replacement. The Pixel 10's dual-entry architecture lets technicians reach the battery by removing either the back panel or the display, no excessive force or exotic tools required. If you have ever watched someone fight a glue-soaked phone, this feels like a sigh of relief.

Then there is the glass back. Unlike most IP68-rated devices, the Pixel 10's rear glass comes off without heat, just a few picks and an anti-clamp tool will do. No hair dryer, no heat gun, no sweating over delicate components while trying to soften adhesive. Simple, almost shockingly so for a modern flagship.

Where Google really flexes is the battery adhesive. They ditched the finicky saw-style strips in favor of a bright green pull tab. iFixit's analysis highlights a new "pull jacket" system that wraps the battery in a removable sheath, making extraction cleaner and safer than before. Not a minor tweak, more like a rethink of how batteries should be secured.

The small stuff matters too. Fewer screws than a typical flagship, and all using standard T3 Torx Plus heads means you will not need a drawer of weird drivers to get started. Anyone who has met a proprietary screw knows the pain.

How does this compare to previous Pixel phones?

Look at the numbers and the improvement jumps out. Compared to earlier models like the Pixel 4 XL, which scored a dismal 4 out of 10 in iFixit's evaluations, the Pixel 10 shows deliberate choices aimed at longevity. That is not just a statistical bump, it reads like a philosophical shift in how Google builds phones.

Recent history tells the same story. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a stark example, where battery removal was "near impossible to remove safely" according to teardown analysis. Pull tabs failed, prying became the fallback, and nerves frayed.

Here is what actually changed. The new 19.39Wh cell is a 7% upgrade over last year's Pixel 9, and swapping it no longer means tearing into the display first. That removes one of the biggest repair risks, accidentally destroying a perfectly good screen while chasing a tired battery.

There is more. A few screws free the loudspeaker and entire charging board, so you can replace them independently. Given how often USB-C ports wear out, being able to swap that part without touching the motherboard is a win for both users and shops.

What about other components and potential drawbacks?

It is not all sunshine. The three rear cameras are all part of a module, so one bad camera may mean replacing the whole unit. For a Pixel, where the camera is the star, that feels a bit rigid.

Replacing the display is, as always, difficult because the screen is stuck to the frame with stubborn adhesive, and iFixit noted that layers can separate during removal, which effectively kills the panel. Tricky work, and not unique to Google.

There are bright spots beyond the battery. The speaker, USB-C port and mmWave antenna can also be replaced individually, a practical boost for common failures. Fewer full-board swaps, more targeted fixes.

The phone also features MagSafe-style wireless charging rings that add accessory options without wrecking the clean internal layout. Tidy, versatile, sensible.

One heads-up for DIYers, reassembly demands new adhesive for the back cover, display, and battery. Stock up before you crack it open.

What this means for the future of smartphone repair

The Pixel 10 represents more than incremental improvements, it signals a shift in how manufacturers think about longevity. The Pixel 10's advancements signal a promising direction for more repair-friendly smartphones, and moves like this tend to nudge the entire industry.

Encouraging sign, Google is putting out documentation. Google is also publishing repair manuals for the lineup, which shows a real commitment to the repair ecosystem. Access to official manuals has long been a roadblock for independent shops and DIY tinkerers.

The ripple effects go wider than one model. Right-to-repair legislation is gaining momentum globally, and companies that get ahead of it will have an edge. The Pixel 10's practical changes, like the dual-entry design and pull jacket battery system, show that repair-friendly features can enhance durability and user experience rather than compromise them.

And yes, there is still room to grow. While the improvements, particularly the pull jacket battery design, demonstrate Google's continued focus on serviceability, we are not at effortless repair yet. Progress is progress.

Bottom line, with iFixit giving the Pixel 10 a provisional 6 out of 10 for repairability, Google is moving in the right direction. If you want a device you can maintain instead of toss, the Pixel 10 offers real hope that the industry is listening. It is not perfect, but it is a meaningful step toward phones that respect your wallet and the planet, and that is worth celebrating.