Smartphones have become more advanced and therefore much more complicated to repair, this is due to the tighter seals created by manufacturers and the use of smaller, more complex parts.
Given how expensive they have become, it would be much better if we could repair our smartphones instead of paying for another phone every time we drop, crack or choke, or pay for expensive repair services.
Fortunately, Google’s latest flagships, the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Procan easily be considered one of the best android phones from last year, are now among the extensive list of devices that can now be repaired by their DIY-savvy users.
Google has continued to partner with repair expert iFixit to provide original parts, such as screens, batteries, front and rear cameras, etc., for people to use when carrying out their own repairs.
The Google Pixel line is well represented with iFixit-compatible components dating back to the Pixel 2 and up to more recent models like the Pixel 7 and 8 series, as well as the Google Pixel Fold.
iFixit also provides helpful guides, components, and tool kits that make repairs much easier and less expensive than going to a dedicated repair shop.
You can even order a kit that will not only include the relevant replacement parts, but also a tool kit with the proper tools to help you install the replacement part.
There are 10 pieces available in total for Google Pixel 8 Pro and 11 pieces for Pixel 8.
DIY Pixel Repairs: How Much Will It Cost?
Prices vary depending on the components you’ll need, but to give you an idea, a Pixel 8 screen costs $159 / £164 / AU$279 and the Pixel 8 Pro screen will cost $229 / £229 / AU$385.
This is considerably cheaper than the around £500 I was recently quoted for my broken Pixel 7 Pro screen.
The batteries cost /£39/ for the Pixel 8 Pro and a surprising $42/£42/AU$72 for the Pixel 8 battery.
A Pixel 8 Pro front camera unit alone costs $42 / £39 / AU$72 and the rear camera module, on the other hand, costs $199 / £192 / AU$335 for the main camera and assembly.
Please remember that these are original parts manufactured to fit and work perfectly with your device and if installed correctly should perform exactly as new.
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None of the prices I have given here include the necessary tools, although they can also be brought from iFixit. But the comprehensive guides on the website will let you know exactly what parts you need and you can search for them completely free of charge.
Repair but be careful
However, repairing devices like this is not easy and will require space, skill and concentration, as well as careful hands, to avoid breaking the delicate components.
Once repaired, you’ll probably feel a well-deserved surge of pride and satisfaction knowing that you fixed your device yourself and saved yourself from possibly spending a lot of money on another phone or professional repairs.
It’s not just the availability of parts that makes the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro an attractive proposition. Google also promised seven years of software updates to support the Pixel 8 series, meaning potentially the Pixel user’s hardware and software needs will be taken care of from now on.
If you’re still not sure how to get a Google Pixel 8 or aren’t sure which Pixel is for you, why not check out our list of the best Pixel phones?
