Google Pixel XL teardown shows easily replaceable modular components

The Pixel XL has been subjected to an iFixit teardown. Stripping the smartphone down to an empty shell, the repairmen noted that the OLED panel (manufactured by Samsung) separated from the digitizer glass a bit too easily, as super-thin components and no frame or bezel behind the display make it difficult to remove.

The battery is secured with two strips of fairly strong adhesive. Many of the smaller components in the Pixel XL, such as the headphone jack and 8MP front facing camera are modular, meaning they can be replaced independently as inexpensive parts and eliminate the need for replacing the entire motherboard in more severe cases.

iFixIt also noted that HTC appears to have left its manufacturing mark on nothing, save for making the battery. It appears the smartphone is, indeed, designed by Google and put in mass production by HTC and its expertise.

The Pixel XL won an overall repairability score of 6 out of 10, due the laborious removal of the midframe and the difficulty of opening the smartphone without damaging the display assembly. The full article and photos by iFixit are available in the source link below.

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