Another Google Pixel 9 Pro XL video teardown confirms battery replacement woes

A few hours ago iFixit published its teardown video of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and now the same phone has been subjected to a similar treatment by Zack at JerryRigEverything.

The device is opened from the back using heat and isopropyl alcohol. From the get-go repairs seem slightly hindered by the use of less common screws in some parts. And there are also multiple sizes of screws, which can complicate the reassembly process even further.

The battery removal process is quite bad, as has also been evidenced in the other video. The pull tab basically breaks without doing its job, so you need to use alcohol to dissolve the very strong adhesive. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, in Zack’s view, has the hardest to replace battery of any mainstream phone, including iPhones.

The microphone hole has a design that prevents it from being punctured if you accidentally insert the SIM removal tool into it. The cameras are actually quite big, going some way to justifying the size of that camera island.

Both Samsung and Apple have massively improved their smartphones’ repairability recently, but Google unfortunately hasn’t followed suit. Maybe next year.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

If you want to learn more about the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL while it’s in one piece, don’t miss our in-depth review.