Tech

Google Pixel XL gets iFixit teardown with little HTC showing

Google's first smartphone release scores lower in repairability than Apple's iPhone 7.

Written by Jake Smith, Contributor Oct. 24, 2016 at 8:38 a.m. PT

iFixit has published its teardown of the Google Pixel XL (Image: iFixit).

iFixit has published its teardown of the Pixel XL, the first smartphone designed in-house at Google that began shipping last week to positive reviews.

The teardown didn't reveal anything earth shattering about the 5.5-inch Pixel XL, but it did score lower in repairability than the competing iPhone 7. Even though the Pixel line doesn't have a home button, it's harder to access the inside of the devices.

Despite its lower repairability, iFixit said the Pixel XL has many modular components that can be replaced if needed.

Further, Google isn't joking around about self-branding its Pixel lineup. iFixit only found one place HTC, the manufacturing partner for the Pixel, was mentioned on the battery.

iFixit cautioned about the Pixel's flexibility -- especially around the display.

Google released the Pixel smartphone lineup earlier this month on Verizon and Google Play. It ships with a pure Google experience, including Google Assistant -- the search engine's fresh take on AI.

You can view the full teardown of the Google Pixel on iFixit.