Smartwatches are probably far more likely to be damaged than phones, simply because they serve as fitness trackers and sit on your wrist. So it’s a shame that their tiny electronics are also very difficult to repair. Extremely tricky in the case of the new Pixel Watch 3, apparently. A Google representative said the company wouldn’t even try to repair the watch.
“The Pixel Watch 3 is a replacement only,” a Google representative told Android Authority. To be clear, the Pixel Watch 3 will still be covered by its warranty: one year on parts and (on paper, at least) basic waterproofing, with impact damage not included. You’ll just get a full replacement watch, not necessarily a new one, if you file a claim.
Google has taken a similar replacement-only approach to the Pixel Watch 2, despite allowing repairs on the original Pixel Watch. That’s a bad sign for anyone who cares about e-waste (a problem that particularly affects wearables like smartwatches and wireless earbuds) or who repairs their own gadgets. The team at iFixit probably has some choice words on the matter.
Regular users may have to jump through hoops to use the warranty that comes with a basic purchase. Google offers a pricey upgrade in the form of Preferred Care extended warranty, a $4-per-month service that covers accidental damage and screen cracks or breakages. But using that service to get a watch replacement will cost a $49 service fee (if it stays the same as the Pixel Watch 2).
If you’re past the one-year warranty on your watch and didn’t get an extended warranty, you’ll probably need to buy a new one. Perhaps with a view to a smartwatch that’s easier to repair… although they’re not easy to find.
Device repairability, already a hot topic among right-to-repair advocates and environmentalists, is becoming a hot topic for more regular users as well. Beyond basic concerns about avoiding e-waste, no one likes the idea that their $500 watch is beyond repair when the battery inevitably starts to degrade after a year or two of constant use.
