What it’s worthwhile to know
- Google and iFixit have partnered to supply official alternative components and instruments for the Pixel 8 collection.
- The alternative components at the moment are accessible, and are comparatively inexpensive, together with all of the components and instruments wanted for a given restore.
- The Google Pixel 8 collection is not an entire win for the right-to-repair motion since some parts can’t be acquired by means of iFixit.
Google took an enormous step in the present day for the longevity of the Pixel 8 collection, because it has promised an industry-leading seven years of full OS upgrades. However whereas we have praised this transfer, it’s going to solely be related if the telephones’ {hardware} can final so long as their software program.
Google has made real components and instruments for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional by means of a partnership with iFixit (by way of Android Police). Generally-replaced parts like screens, cameras, and batteries might be bought with out a lot trouble. These restore kits include all of the components and instruments wanted to finish the repair, which is sweet for individuals who won’t have a toolkit at residence.
Self-service restore is usually thought-about to be different to taking your smartphone to Google for a repair, or just shopping for a brand new one. Repairing units retains them from turning into e-waste, and that is excellent news for the surroundings. Equally, buying components as an alternative of taking a damaged telephone to Google will probably be a less expensive choice to hold your telephone up-and-running.
Google and iFixit have finished a stellar job making alternative batteries accessible for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional at an ultra-low value level. Batteries are consumable components that can put on down over time, and that is why individuals discover their telephones dying faster than typical as they age. Changing the battery would possibly make a Pixel 8 really feel recent a couple of years down the street, and the restore package prices simply $43 from iFixit.
Different main components are dearer, although. A rear case alternative for the Pixel 8 prices $143, whereas a brand new display will run you $160. For the Pixel 8 Professional, a rear case prices $173 and a brand new display is priced at $230. These prices are up barely when in comparison with the Pixel 7 collection. For instance, a display prices $20 extra on the Pixel 8 and $17 extra on the Pixel 8 Professional this 12 months.
Extra components can be found for the Pixel 8 collection, just like the rear case and the front-facing digicam. Nonetheless, you continue to cannot get a brand new motherboard for a Pixel telephone from iFixit. For the reason that USB-C port is soldered to the principle board, if that breaks, you are out of luck by way of getting a real alternative half.
The supply of components for the Pixel 8 collection is nice for the right-to-repair motion, however not everybody ought to be performing at-home repairs. For that motive, official Google repairs and unbiased retailers are nonetheless round to assist out.
