Google Offers Genuine 'Pixel Fold' Repair Parts on iFixit. But Inner Screen Repairs Cost $900 (arstechnica.com) 31
"Since 2022, Google has worked with iFixit to offer official repair parts and guides for virtually all of the company's Pixel releases," according to the blog 9to5Google, which in June confirmed this would continue with Google's Pixel Fold. (They called the announcement "notable, as it will be the first foldable to date with support for DIY repair options.")
But Ars Technica has a warning about Google's "biggest and most expensive phone." The good news is Google has indeed started offering OEM replacement parts for the $1,800 phone on the repair site iFixit.
The bad news is a repair kit for the phone's inner display, a 7.6-inch flexible OLED screen, "will cost you a whopping $900." Even the "part only" option for $900 is the entire top half of the Pixel Fold. We're talking the display, the bezels around it, the entire metal frame and sides of the phone, the all-important hinge, side buttons, fingerprint sensor, and a whole bunch of wires. You wouldn't buy this and connect it to your original phone; you would part out your original phone and move a few pieces over into this, like the motherboard, batteries, cameras, and back plate...
The outer screen is a much more reasonable $160, while the rear glass cover and camera bump is $70. The batteries — there are two, remember — will run you $50 each...
Once you get the parts you need, it really feels like iFixit went all out in the guide department, with 32 different guides and "techniques" detailing how to disassemble the Pixel Fold.
But Ars Technica has a warning about Google's "biggest and most expensive phone." The good news is Google has indeed started offering OEM replacement parts for the $1,800 phone on the repair site iFixit.
The bad news is a repair kit for the phone's inner display, a 7.6-inch flexible OLED screen, "will cost you a whopping $900." Even the "part only" option for $900 is the entire top half of the Pixel Fold. We're talking the display, the bezels around it, the entire metal frame and sides of the phone, the all-important hinge, side buttons, fingerprint sensor, and a whole bunch of wires. You wouldn't buy this and connect it to your original phone; you would part out your original phone and move a few pieces over into this, like the motherboard, batteries, cameras, and back plate...
The outer screen is a much more reasonable $160, while the rear glass cover and camera bump is $70. The batteries — there are two, remember — will run you $50 each...
Once you get the parts you need, it really feels like iFixit went all out in the guide department, with 32 different guides and "techniques" detailing how to disassemble the Pixel Fold.
Or . . . (Score:4, Insightful)
You could stop wtih this bullshit of thinking plastic won't develop a crease over time from constantly being folded and either get a real phone which flips open and shut [att.com], or make your own.
But as usual, let's take a simple process and make it as complicated and convoluted (and expensive) as possible.
Re: Or . . . (Score:2)
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Or...they could continue to sell fragile-but-profitable toys to children and adults. Including $900 repair kits. Because Demand.
If you were looking for smart in phones, we'd have removable batteries coming out of mil-spec shockproof chassis that last 10 years. With a damn headphone jack. We pretty much have the shit today instead, pushed with titanium-grade marketing gimmicks that always sell.
"Simple" has little to do with it when the narcissist gotta get fed with some more look-at-me fancy sauce.
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I wouldn't trust one of those Chinese superphones to last a year. I wish I did, because I'd have bought one by now for sure, especially given the thermal camera. I want one of those bad. But you think getting support for mainstream Android phones is bad? Try one of these all-in-wonders.
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I wouldn't trust one of those Chinese superphones to last a year. I wish I did, because I'd have bought one by now for sure, especially given the thermal camera. I want one of those bad.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the... [amazon.com]
...you think getting support for mainstream Android phones is bad? Try one of these all-in-wonders.
It's not very hard to prove why every egg shouldn't be in one basket. You just did.
Re: Or . . . (Score:2)
Yeah, the problem though is that the display adds quite a bit to the price unless it is terrible
Re: (Score:2)
...Apple isn't even in the game for features (fast tho)
Not quite. You just don't realize the 'game' Apple is in.
They are a fashion company selling tech. And they're fucking killing it in the fashion industry.
Others who happen to be selling something kinda like them, are trying.
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I'd love an Android phone with old software that will never get updated.
Please, something where the zero-day bugs are never fixed.
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You could stop wtih this bullshit of thinking plastic won't develop a crease over time from constantly being folded
Some people simply don't care. Phones wear out, like those $500 sneakers they can't be seen without.
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Early and even third gen folding phones are reaching the age where we can see what kinds of aging they are likely to suffer.
The crease is not usually an issue. Most common issues are the screen protector delaminating (it can be replaced on most models), and the OLED panel getting damaged.
Apparently the latter costs $900 just for the part.
iFixit seems to be really good at what they do but (Score:2)
iFixit seems to be really good at what they do, but I bought a replacement battery from them for a Pixel 2 and things didn't work out at all. I figured I was technically qualified, and still do, even though I failed miserably, and I only created more eWaste.
The problem is my eyes. I had no idea I couldn't see things that small anymore. I had no idea parts and connectors and such could be so small. And I used to be a technical illustrator, old-school before desktop CAD with Rapidograph ink pens [jerrysartistoutlet.com] and mylar, kn
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...and some day soon, user-replaceable batteries [theverge.com].
I meant to include that detail earlier.
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Okay, sure, maybe if I had a lit, magnifying glass, vice contraption like a professional would use in my situation, but now I'm back to square one in terms of project cost and personal real estate for the required tools purchase.
I congratulate you on your self-analysis here, albeit post eWaste. Sadly, even a fancy $100 illuminating magnifier would have likely been worth every penny for you not being back at square one. The problem for you, was simple. So was the solution.
And you'll use and need that magnifier again. I promise.
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I would suggest getting that magnifier. An electronic one may be best, because that works nicely if you eyes are not that good. I got one because occasionally I do some modifications on SMD circuits.
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Thanks for the comments folks. I never even considered an electronic one! Still, I think I found my limit in terms of what I'm willing to repair myself, given the risk, hassle factor, and effort. A man's got to know his limitations [youtu.be].
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A magnifier is also a nice toy, but I see what you mean.
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I feel like I've had three different connectors on my android phones in the time that apple has been using lightning.
(USB mini, micro, and C), if anything I'd think apple is more consistent with connectors than the rest of the industry.
This article, plus the Apple article below (Score:2)
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I have a Fairphone 4, because I insist on a replaceable battery. Knowing that I can replace the USB-C connector myself without hassle is also nice, because that one will eventually wear out. Sure, not the phone to make your posing as ultra-hip and in tune with the latest hype a success, but solid all around.
Re: This article, plus the Apple article below (Score:2)
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Why would it not? It may not have any carrier that admits supporting it though. My carrier did not have it on the supported phones list either. All that means is the carrier will not provide the software updates and they will hence not mess with your phone installation. As a result, you get updates faster and they are cleaner. Because world-wide roaming works, you basically pop in a SIM card anywhere on the planet and it will likely work. Many people get a local SIM card instead of roaming when they go on v
Includes the frame, 2x battery, fingerprint sensor (Score:1)
Yes. So? (Score:4, Insightful)
That screen is what makes that phone expensive. It does not get any cheaper when it is a spare part. I would think it is entirely possible Google is not making a profit at that price. That said, who needs a foldable screen besides the usual posers?
Your time is possibly worth more than $900 (Score:2)
If you can spend $1800 on a fragile foldable phone gimmick:
- it is also likely you hourly wage makes it more reasonable to buy a new one with warranty, all new battery and component.
Your time is probably worth more than spending hours training on the repair process and the repair itself with uncertain results and no warranty.
- Or rethink your life choices and buy a more sturdy, repairable and affordable device,
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I remember when phones [wikipedia.org] were sturdy enough to beat a person to death with. And then use to call 911 afterwards.
So ... (Score:2)
In other words ... (Score:2)
You wouldn't buy this [screen kit] and connect it to your original phone; you would part out your original phone and move a few pieces over into this, like the motherboard, batteries, cameras, and back plate...
It's not a phone with a foldable screen, but a foldable screen with a phone.
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It's only 126 steps in iFixit to part out your phone down to the screen kit, then follow those 126 steps in reverse to reassemble it. Easy peasy! ;-)
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/G... [ifixit.com]