In an age where wearable technology is a staple of modern life, the news regarding Google’s lack of repair provisions for its Pixel Watch screen comes as a shock. If you happen to break your Pixel Watch screen, don’t expect Google to mend it. This revelation has led to a storm of disgruntled Pixel Watch owners voicing their frustrations on platforms like Reddit and Google’s support forums.
An interaction obtained by The Verge showed a Pixel Watch user communicating with Google’s support after his device met with an accidental fall. The response from the support representative was clear: Google has neither repair nor service centers for the device. Bridget Starkey, speaking on behalf of Google to The Verge, confirmed, “At this point, we don’t have any options for repairing the Google Pixel Watch. If your watch is damaged, you can contact our Pixel Watch support team to explore replacement options.”
Starkey also pointed to Google’s warranty policy which explicitly states that the limited warranty does not cover damages resulting from regular wear, accidents, misuse, neglect, disassembly, modifications, services from non-Google-certified technicians, and other external causes like liquid damage or extreme environmental conditions. This essentially places the onus on the owners for damages resulting from accidental falls or hits.
Notably, a teardown by iFixit suggested that although accessing the screen isn’t straightforward, the Pixel Watch does hint at potential repairability in the future. But it’s not clear where an average person might obtain a replacement part, especially since Google offers no repair solutions. One comment on the iFixit guide even suggested buying an intact Pixel Watch on eBay as a more economical (albeit wasteful) alternative to purchasing a new or used replacement.
This lack of repairability is concerning given the Pixel Watch’s vulnerable design. Featuring a sleek, curved glass display, the watch, while aesthetically pleasing, can be easily damaged if not handled with care. In a review last year, The Verge’s Chris Welch reported breaking his unit within days, even without any unusual handling.
It’s essential to note that Google isn’t alone in making smartwatch repairs challenging. Historically, Apple Watch repairs have been notoriously costly. For instance, without AppleCare Plus, Apple quotes $299 for the Series 8 and $499 for the Apple Watch Urtla. With AppleCare Plus, these prices drop to $69 and $79 respectively, excluding the cost of the AppleCare itself. At least with Apple, sending the watch for repair remains an option.
In a twist, Google is expected to release the Pixel Watch 2 in October, with a seemingly identical design. But there’s hope. California recently passed the Right to Repair Bill, requiring companies to provide electronic spare parts for three years if they cost $50 or more and seven years for devices costing $100 or more. It remains to be seen how Google will navigate this new landscape.
