ElectronicsHub, a resource for instructions on DIY home repair of electronics, recently analyzed the time required to repair problems on 228 phone models whose repair guides are found on iFixit.
Electronics Hub used this data to rank smartphones by the average length of time needed for repairs.
Following are the smartphones considered hardest to repair.
10. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Year this model of phone was first released: 2021
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 40.5 minutes
TechRadar gave the 5G A53 a less than perfect report card late last year.
The phone is good for the price, with an attractive screen and design, the review says. But, it adds, the Galaxy A53 is slow to charge, its navigation dragged and the battery life “could be better.” Ouch.
9. Samsung Galaxy A72
Year this model of phone was first released: 2021
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 43.5 minutes
When Samsung’s Galaxy A72 came out in 2021 Android Central called it “the best phone you won’t buy.”
While the A72 is beautifully designed and has a handsome display, solid cameras and a two-day battery life, buyers aren’t well-served: It’s relatively expensive, has no 5G option and is loaded with unnecessary software, the review complains.
8. Google Pixel 3aXL
Year this model of phone was first released: 2019
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 45 minutes
TechRadar gave the Google Pixel 3aXL 4 of 5 stars when the phone dropped in 2019.
The model marked the return of the headphone jack. It features a “fantastic” camera, but lost points for limited storage, a not-so-stunning design and the crucial lack of waterproofing.
7. Redmi Note 11 Pro
Year this model of phone was first released: 2022
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 45.4 minutes
Tom’s Guide calls the 5G Redmi Note 11 Pro “the phone with as much display as possible for your money.”
The review adds, though, that this is a qualified endorsement. The performance is “underpowered” though it offers numerous pluses at a budget price, the review concludes, awarding it 3.5 of 5 stars.
6. Huawei P30 Pro
Year this model of phone was first released: 2019
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 53 minutes
Huawei’s P30 Pro has a 6.47-inch screen with an in-display fingerprint sensor, according to IFixit.
Released in April 2019, the phone sports a 40 MP main camera and an 8 MP telephoto camera.
5. Xiaomi Mi 9
Year this model of phone was first released: 2019
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 53.6 minutes
ElectronicsHub says that, in a separate research project, it found that 47.67% of Amazon.com reviews of Xiaomi products were unreliable.
The publication used data from consumer advocacy site FakeSpot in April 2022 to rank electronics brands with suspicious reviews.
4. Redmi Note 7
Year this model of phone was first released: 2019
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 53.8 minutes
Repairing the Redmi Note 7 is particularly hard, ElectronicsHub says.
Redmi’s Note 7 ranks fourth worst for DIY repairers, and iFixIt gives it a 4 out of 10 on repairability.
3. iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Year this model of phone was first released: 2022
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 55.6 minutes
This third generation iPhone SE has an A15 chip and a 4.7-inch LCD display. Too bad its repair times are on the longer end.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note10
Year this model of phone was first released: 2019
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 58.4 minutes
“Its software features could use some work,” Tom’s Guide says, awarding the Samsung Galaxy Note10 4 stars of 5 for this 2019 model.
Tom’s likes the phone’s “epic” battery life, very compact design and bright screen.
1. Google Pixel 7
Year this model of phone was first released: 2022
Average time necessary to complete a difficult repair on this model: 60.3 minutes
The Google Pixel 7 was not a quantum leap from the Pixel 6 but a smart, gradual improvement on the earlier model, reviewers say.
That’s a good thing, says Digital Trends, calling the phone “subtly stylish.”
Digital Trends lauds the superb camera, excellent battery life and terrific price. But it dings the Pixel 7 for slow performance, software bugs and (the kiss of death) poor gaming performance.
Well, you can’t have everything. But what good is the low price if you have to spend big bucks when things go wrong? Better to repair it yourself, and in that department the Google Pixel 7 stumbles. It is the device that takes the very longest for consumers to repair, Electronics Hub’s assessment finds.
At least there’s this: In 2022, Google partnered with iFixit to make its original smartphone components available for DIY consumers to purchase.
