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Google’s Pixel phones now rank ahead of both iPhone and Galaxy devices on repairability, based on a 2026 scorecard that reshapes how smartphone durability gets measured. The update leans on stricter European grading that focuses on what happens during an actual fix, not just whether parts exist.
Motorola leads with a B+, followed by Google at C-, while Samsung drops to a D and Apple lands at a D-. The spread comes down to how many steps it takes to reach key components and how complicated common repairs have become.
This shift ties directly to ownership costs. A phone that’s harder to open or service tends to cost more to keep running, especially once software support and spare parts availability enter the equation.
The new scores change everything
The updated system from the European Union puts hands-on repair factors at the center. It looks at disassembly effort, battery access, tool requirements, and whether parts and manuals are realistically available to users and repair shops.
Earlier scoring methods didn’t weigh teardown difficulty heavily enough, which allowed some devices to appear more repair-friendly than they felt in practice. The revised approach corrects that gap and exposes designs that rely on extra steps or tighter assembly.
The report spans more than 100 devices and now includes software support timelines, which set a practical limit on how long a phone can stay secure and usable.
Why Pixel pulls ahead
Google’s placement reflects fewer barriers during repairs. Phones that open with less effort, rely on standard tools, and provide clearer access to parts tend to score higher, and Pixel models fit that pattern.
Apple and Samsung lose ground where repairs become layered or restricted. More steps to reach components and tighter control over servicing workflows can increase both time and cost for common fixes.
Software still complicates repairs across the board. Limits tied to parts pairing and compatibility can block certain fixes even when hardware replacement is possible, which continues to affect multiple brands.
What this means next
Repairability is starting to carry real weight in how phones are evaluated, especially as clearer grading systems reach more markets.
The report also points to a gap in the US, where no equivalent labeling system exists. Buyers don’t get the same visibility into teardown difficulty or long-term support, even as repair costs rise and electronic waste grows.
Momentum around Right to Repair laws is building, with new rules targeting software locks and parts access already taking shape in some states. Until broader standards arrive, repair scores remain one of the clearest signals for how long a device is likely to last.
