Google marks International Repair Day by expanding repairable Pixel and Fitbit devices and certified refurbished options

Google used International Repair Day to spotlight a strategy that is gaining attention in consumer electronics: extending device lifespans through design changes, easier repair access, and refurbished upgrades instead of frequent replacements. In a blog post published October 15, the company said it is building Pixel and Fitbit hardware around modular components that are meant to be easier to repair, while also making support and replacement paths more direct for customers.

At the heart of Google’s message is the idea that products should be designed to be fixed rather than discarded. The company said it is applying modular engineering to Pixel devices including its smartwatch line, and that customers can now manage device health, troubleshoot issues, or start a repair through the My Pixel app and updated support hubs. Google also pointed to a global network of walk-in repair centers as part of its effort to make repair more accessible.

Google’s post tied those design and support changes to specific products. For the Pixel Watch 4 and 5, Google said its engineering teams pursued an “ambitious repairability roadmap” and identified common repair bottlenecks early in development. It also said it built a modular architecture intended to avoid the “heavily glued, unserviceable” construction it described as the industry norm.

Google added that iFixit, a well-known repairability review site, gave its Pixel Watch model a 9 out of 10 repairability score. The company presented this as evidence that its approach is delivering a more serviceable design for consumers and repair technicians. The post framed the objective as cutting e-waste by making it more practical to replace parts or service devices instead of replacing entire units.

Google said it is extending that repairable approach beyond smartwatches. This week, it said it expanded its repairable product line with the new Fitbit Edge, described as its first repairable fitness tracker. Google characterized the device as featuring an internal modular architecture and a replaceable battery, a design choice meant to help extend device life when the battery degrades.

Beyond hardware design, Google emphasized support infrastructure. It said customers can find repair guides, get expert help, and even use an AI chat option to troubleshoot problems, aiming to reduce the friction that can prevent users from attempting repairs or getting timely assistance. The company did not provide additional metrics in the post, such as wait times, repair turnaround, or the number of service locations in each country.

On the reuse side, Google highlighted its Google Certified Refurbished program, which it said keeps “high-performing hardware” in circulation longer without compromising on quality or performance. According to the post, phones in the program are restored using genuine Google parts, updated with the latest Android software, packaged in 100% plastic-free materials, and backed by a full one-year warranty.

Google also said it is expanding the Certified Refurbished program in two ways. In the United States, the company added Pixel 9 series devices to the program at up to 45% off on the Google Store Online US. In Japan, it said it launched certified refurbished devices on the Google Store Online Japan this October, widening the availability of refurbished units in another market.

The company’s post was largely qualitative, focusing on product philosophy and specific examples rather than disclosing detailed targets or performance outcomes. It did not specify how much of its overall hardware lineup is covered by repairable designs, how many authorized service partners handle repairs, or whether customers have adopted repair options at particular rates. It also did not provide independent data beyond the iFixit score to quantify environmental impacts, though it described longer device lifespans as a meaningful way to reduce e-waste.

Looking ahead, the key question for users and the industry is whether Google’s modular design approach and repair pathways will scale across more device categories and regions. For consumers, watch for continued expansion of My Pixel repair features and additional repairable models, as well as broader Certified Refurbished availability beyond the markets named in the post. For the electronics sector, the move reinforces a broader shift toward circularity, where product longevity, spare parts, and refurbishment programs increasingly shape competitive differentiation.