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This makes so much sense.
  • Google doesn't have Apple's supply chain or shops.
  • Android's USP is 'open source' vs Apple's walled garden.
Google can never compete against Apple's repair capabilities.

Giving customers their own parts and tools is a brilliant counter move.
That’s what Apple announced in November. It also sounds like Apple will be announcing their solution at or around WWDC.
 
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this is awesome. i'm really happy to see right to repair. there are too many smartphones out there and it's made a lot of waste when likely they could be fixed and reused

i used to buy a new phone each year but i'll be holding onto my 12 pro max as long as i can. my battery is at 97% and i've had it since launch so shouldn't need to replace that for a long time. i like to look after my phone. it's got a case and screen protector. the phone would be smashed to pieces if i didn't use them.

hopefully apple starts to take right to repair more seriously.
 
All six Pixel owners will be delighted, as soon as their phones stop boot looping long enough to let them order.
i know this is an apple fanboy site but seriously pixel phones are good. i've used them. the only issue is that it's google and they will take all your data. i know apple takes data too but it's definitely not on the same level as google.

i loved my pixel phone. if i ditch apple i'll be going back to pixel for sure. they are easy to mod so you don't need to run google's version of android. sure as **** can't run another OS on iphone. apple don't even want you sideloading an app lol.
 


Google today announced it is partnering with iFixit to make do-it-yourself repairs available for Pixel smartphones in select regions.

ifixit-google-pixel.jpeg

Starting later this year, genuine Pixel parts will be available for purchase on iFixit's website for the Pixel 2 through Pixel 6 Pro, as well as future Pixel models, in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and European Union countries where Pixel smartphones are available, according to Google. Batteries, displays, cameras, and other parts will be available both individually and as part of iFixit toolkits.

Google's announcement comes one day after the European Parliament voted in support of proposed "Right to Repair" legislation planned for later in 2022. Samsung last week announced plans to launch a similar self-service repair program for some Galaxy smartphones, also in partnership with iFixit.

"If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves," said iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens. "Google is making repair more affordable and accessible, even in places without repair shops. We are committed to enabling repairs at a place and time of your choosing."

iFixit said it will be continuing to write its step-by-step repair guides for Pixel smartphones, with guides for the Pixel 5a, 6, and 6 Pro in progress.

In November 2021, Apple also announced that it would be launching a self-service repair program in the United States in early 2022, followed by additional countries throughout the year. Apple said the initial phase of the program would focus on the most commonly serviced parts for all iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, such as displays, batteries, and cameras, and expand to Macs with M1 chips later in the year.

Apple has yet to launch its self-service repair program or publicly share any further details since its initial announcement.

Article Link: Google Announces DIY Repairs for Pixel Smartphones in Partnership With iFixit
Lol AVAILABLE TROUGH IFIXIT :D oh yes we all want to be over charged for Parts for our phones. Sorry iFixit you make good Guides however on the other side u ripoff ur customer with total overpriced parts. PURE EVIL
 
I read this as, Google's customer hardware support is so poor that they tell em to fix it themselves.
 
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Electronics are so sophisticated at this point, if you open ALMOST any TV everything in on 1 board...including the power supply.
I'm not normally one to complain about tech being too sophisticated, but it's way too easy for a silly software or firmware problem on a smart TV to make a 50" screen useless. Would be great for someone to make a standard brain for those.

About DIY repairs, I agree, this is ridiculous. There's no reason why phones need to be repairable by average people, and that will never happen anyway outside of these token situations. There's a reason specialization of labor is a thing.
 
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Maybe but then again maybe your replacement (unless brand new out of the box) also has a defect they just glossed over.
Yeah but maybe (probably) when I do it myself, it has an even worse defect. Someone else brought up a good point about never buying used Pixels: iPhones do pretty well on the used market. Gets a lot sketchier when many of the phones out there have been self-repaired.
 
Really cool of Google to partner with someone like ifixit. Sure ifixit gets something out of it, but if not them then it would be someone else. I have always liked ifixit so glad they are getting that business! Right to repair is important! Apple needs to get one board with this trend more!
 
I'm not normally one to complain about tech being too sophisticated, but it's way too easy for a silly software or firmware problem on a smart TV to make a 50" screen useless. Would be great for someone to make a standard brain for those.

About DIY repairs, I agree, this is ridiculous. There's no reason why phones need to be repairable by average people, and that will never happen anyway outside of these token situations. There's a reason specialization of labor is a thing.
And most people don't repair their own cars either. Doesn't mean it shouldn't be an option! Also just because the average person might not repair it themselves, it doesn't mean a person who is more knowledgeable about doing that work couldn't. Its all about options so you don't have to rely upon just Apple being able to fix your technology and charging you an arm and a leg when it does need to be done. It's about saving consumers money at the end of the day and not lining Apples pockets even more!
 
Lol AVAILABLE TROUGH IFIXIT :D oh yes we all want to be over charged for Parts for our phones. Sorry iFixit you make good Guides however on the other side u ripoff ur customer with total overpriced parts. PURE EVIL
So right to repair implies what exactly ? 3rd parties corps have the right to profit and repair on said product? Comical🤣 So they pushed their agenda claiming customers should be allowed to repair their own products. but in reality they wanted to. HAHA
 
Parts of varying quality and tools are easily available on Amazon and eBay. Calling it a monopoly is laughable.
However i've found that aftermarket batteries are not as consistent in performance and quality as their OEM counterparts. If available I always go with OEM.
 
I read this as, Google's customer hardware support is so poor that they tell em to fix it themselves.
And you could be right. I own a few recent Pixel phones and the authorized repair centers Google uses (ibreakufix) has a sketchy track record. OTOH, my launch day Pixel 6 developed some issues and I had Google contact me which they did via a phone call within 10 minutes and they decided to replace the phone outside the return window. But that's just my personal experience with them, others have not been so lucky.

Honestly, i'm jealous of the service Apple offers to its customers. They are much better at it than other phone manufactures such as Google, Samsung and others. At least if I owned an iPhone and the battery needed to be replaced, I can pay for a new one at either an Apple Store or at any Best Buy and they have the proper tools to do the job right the first time.
 
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"Apple changed the battery of my iPhone 8 and broke the touchID. If official technicians can't do it properly, then there is no way I would risk it."

Only on MacRumors is this somehow interpreted as "trust Apple MORE after they ****ed up their own phone".
 
Smartphones COULD be designed with easy to replace gaskets, easy to swap batteries and screens, but nooooo, we get glued shut iPhones designed by a company touting its environmental friendliness instead.
Glued batteries etc are to increase longevity of the device. Screws loosen over time and movement cause components to shift breaking connections and solder points. This was the problem with removal batteries that Iphone did away with and was heavily criticized for. Now none of their competitors offer these
 
iFixit: "If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves,"

...and what better way to do that than paying us to be a part of the process.

You don't have to, you can buy parts directly from the company or via aliexpress and eBay.
 
Apple changed the battery of my iPhone 8 and broke the Touch ID. If official technicians can't do it properly, then there is no way I would risk it. Providing parts and partnering with repair companies are all a cover to not provide easily replaceable batteries. Instead of putting more and more cameras in the rear, phone manufacturers should focus on that.

I changed my iPhone 8 battery myself. It works perfectly, water resistant too.

The new battery is larger in capacity (2300 mAh), and it costed me $15, shipping included on AliExpress. The replacement seal and tools are included in the package.

It took me 4 hours in total, so aside from a hobby, it's not financially viable if my labour is accounted for.
 
And you could be right. I own a few recent Pixel phones and the authorized repair centers Google uses (ibreakufix) has a sketchy track record. OTOH, my launch day Pixel 6 developed some issues and I had Google contact me which they did via a phone call within 10 minutes and they decided to replace the phone outside the return window. But that's just my personal experience with them, others have not been so lucky.

Honestly, i'm jealous of the service Apple offers to its customers. They are much better at it than other phone manufactures such as Google, Samsung and others. At least if I owned an iPhone and the battery needed to be replaced, I can pay for a new one at either an Apple Store or at any Best Buy and they have the proper tools to do the job right the first time.
Your experience sounds like what my coworkers complain about. I took Apple Stores for granted until one time I was trying to help my friend get his data off his semi-broken Galaxy. Besides the Apple support, iPhones are so standard that any repair shop that wants business will know how to fix their battery or screens.
 
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