If you’ve been eyeing the new Google Pixel 9a for its pure Android experience and attractive price tag, you might want to pump the brakes—at least until you hear about its jaw-dropping repairability issues. In a recent teardown video, Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything didn’t hold back: he straight‐up advised people not to buy the Pixel 9a. Why? Because getting inside this phone to replace a worn‐out battery feels like time-traveling to the bad old days of gluing components forever.
It’s one thing for a mid-range phone to make compromises on materials or features. It’s another when those compromises turn straightforward maintenance into a risky, headache-inducing affair. Let’s dive into exactly what went wrong, why it matters, and whether the Pixel 9a still makes sense for you.
Battery Replacement: A Vintage Trap
In Nelson’s teardown, the very first shocker was how Google decided to attach the battery to the phone’s chassis. Instead of modern peel-off pull tabs, he found the cell glued down with adhesive that simply refuses to budge. Even after soaking the area in isopropyl alcohol, he couldn’t lift the battery cleanly. At one point, he had to break out a drill just to get it free—an absolute no-no in the repair world.
For context, most flagship phones today ship with little white pull tabs tucked under the battery. You tug, the battery slides out, and voilà—new power pack in place. Not here. Google’s approach could turn a 10-minute battery swap into a nail-biting, component-destroying ordeal. That’s a huge deal for anyone who plans to keep their phone for more than a couple of years or expects to do their own repairs.
Worse yet, drilling a battery is downright dangerous. Puncturing a lithium cell can lead to short circuits, fires, or toxic chemical leaks. Nelson points out that professional repair shops might refuse to touch a device like this—or they’ll pass the extra labor costs on to you. Either way, your wallet and safety are on the line if you ever need a fresh battery.
The Repairability Paradox
Here’s where things get downright ironic: Google prides itself on environmental goals and the “Right to Repair” movement. The company even teamed up with iFixit to publish teardown guides and sell replacement parts. Yet with the Pixel 9a, it seems they forgot to include the one thing that matters most for an easy DIY fix: extractable battery tabs.
It’s hard to reconcile marketing materials that tout sustainability with a design that practically ensures early e-waste. A battery that’s impossible to swap out in your garage—or even at a local repair shop—ultimately ends up shortening your device’s lifespan. That’s the opposite of eco-friendly.
Google regularly brags about quick security updates and long-term Android support, but all that’s moot if your phone dies from natural battery wear in three years. Instead of replacing the tired cell and sticking with a perfectly good device, you’ll be forced into an expensive upgrade cycle. That’s more trash in landfills and more cash in your carrier’s pocket.
Decent Mid-Range Performance, But At What Cost?
Okay, so the Pixel 9a might be a repairability nightmare. But let’s give credit where it’s due: for €549, you get a well-tuned mid-range package. The plastic back feels surprisingly solid, the cameras churn out quality shots in most lighting conditions, and you’re guaranteed several years of Android OS updates straight from Google.
However, there are caveats. The phone still uses Gorilla Glass 3 on the front—two generations behind the latest improvements in scratch and drop resistance. The processor is capable but not class-leading, so you may notice stutters in intensive games or heavy multitasking. And yes, the back is plastic, not glass or metal, which feels less premium even if it’s more shatter-proof.
Most of those trade-offs are fair for a mid-ranger. But the battery issue stands out because it strikes at the heart of long-term usability. No matter how many cameras or software features Google packs in, failing at basic servicing is a bold—and unwelcome—design choice.
Should You Buy the Pixel 9a?
If you’re the kind of user who upgrades every two years and never worries about battery health, perhaps this issue will never cross your mind. But if you hold onto your phones for the long haul, enjoy tinkering with repairs, or simply want the peace of mind of an easily replaceable battery, the Pixel 9a is a hard pass.
Alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy A54 or the Motorola Moto G series offer similar performance and price points, often with more user-friendly repair designs. You might sacrifice a month of OS updates from Google, but in return you get a device that’s less likely to shove you into an early upgrade.
At the end of the day, repairability is a key factor in sustainability, cost of ownership, and even safety. And on that front, the Pixel 9a just doesn’t measure up. So unless Google patches this design oversight in a future revision, we’d recommend exploring other options—and saving yourself the hassle (and potential hazard) of that glued-in battery.
Got thoughts on the Pixel 9a teardown? Drop your comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going about making tech more sustainable—and user-friendly—for everyone.
