Google doesn’t repair the Pixel Watch. Instead, the company offers a replacement if a buyer makes a successful warranty claim. Google might be thinking about offering repairs for upcoming Pixel Watch models, hinted a manager working at Google.
Google doesn’t repair any Pixel Watch?
The third generation of the premium Pixel Watch series is here. But there are still no official or first-party repair solutions for these premium wearables from Google.
Instead of offering repairs for the Pixel Watch, Google merely sends a replacement if a buyer successfully makes a warranty claim. Needless to say, this strongly indicates Google cannot offer reliable repair services. Additionally, such limitations highlight just how inexperienced the company is in the smartwatch space.
Google’s rivals in the premium smartwatch market, including Apple and Samsung, have the ability and expertise to perform repairs on their smartwatches. Moreover, these companies have the necessary ecosystem to repair cracked glass or quickly replace an aging battery.
Google rethinking design of upcoming smartwatches
According to Nicole Azores, a manager of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google, the company is thinking of offering repairs for the Pixel Watch. At a Climate Week NYC panel, focused on repairable technology, Azores reportedly indicated Google is thinking through the design of the Pixel Watch to make it more repairable.
“Watches and wearables are still fairly nascent, and we are thinking through how to make this repairable. We’re thinking about repairability on a broader scale, not just on phones and tablets, and we want to make sure that all of our products eventually become repairable. I think watches being so new as a category, some design elements need to be considered on how we make them repairable.”
Google has remained loyal to the design of the Pixel Watch and even offered updates to older models. Hence, it will be interesting to see how Google enhances the repairability of its smartwatches by tweaking the design of the wearable.
It is, however, concerning to note that a company like Google is faltering in the sustainability and repairability initiative, at least in the wearable market. Reports about e-waste have indicated that billions of pounds of discarded electronics, especially with dying batteries, end up in landfills. By introducing repair solutions, Google could help improve the situation.