ElectronicsHub, a resource for DIY electronics repair instructions, recently analyzed the time it takes to repair problems on 228 phone models whose repair guides can be found on iFixit.
Electronics Hub used this data to rank smartphones based on the average time needed to repair.
Below are the smartphones considered to be the most difficult to repair.
10.Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Year this phone model was first released: 2021
Average time required 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, says the review. But, she adds, the Galaxy A53 is slow to charge, its browsing is dragging and its battery life “could be better.” Ouch.
9.Samsung Galaxy A72
Year this phone model was first released: 2021
Average time required 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 well-designed and has a nice display, solid cameras, and two-day battery life, buyers aren’t well served: It’s relatively expensive, lacks 5G options, and is loaded with unnecessary software, laments the review.
8.Google Pixel 3aXL
Year this phone model was first released: 2019
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 45 minutes
TechRadar gave the Google Pixel 3aXL 4 out of 5 stars when the phone came out in 2019.
The model marked the return of the headphone jack. It features a “great” camera, but it lost points for limited storage, a not-so-amazing design, and the crucial lack of waterproofing.
7. Redmi Note 11 Pro
Year this phone model was first released: 2022
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 45.4 minutes
Tom’s Guide calls the 5G Redmi Note 11 Pro “the phone with the biggest display possible for your money.”
The review adds, however, that this is a qualified endorsement. The performance is “underpowered” although it offers many benefits at a budget price, concludes the review, giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
6.Huawei P30 Pro
Year this phone model was first released: 2019
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 53 minutes
The Huawei 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 40MP main camera and an 8MP telephoto camera.
5.Xiaomi Mi 9
Year this phone model was first released: 2019
Average time required 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 untrustworthy.
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 phone model was first released: 2019
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 53.8 minutes
Repairing the Redmi Note 7 is particularly difficult, says ElectronicsHub.
Redmi’s Note 7 ranks fourth worst for DIY repairers and iFixIt gives it a 4 out of 10 in terms of repairability.
3. iPhone SE (third generation)
Year this phone model was first released: 2022
Average time required 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 long.
2.Samsung Galaxy Note10
Year this phone model was first released: 2019
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 58.4 minutes
“Its software features could use some work,” says Tom’s Guide, giving the Samsung Galaxy Note10 4 out of 5 stars for this 2019 model.
Tom likes the phone’s “epic” battery life, very compact design and bright screen.
1.GooglePixel7
Year this phone model was first released: 2022
Average time required to complete a difficult repair on this model: 60.3 minutes
The Google Pixel 7 wasn’t a quantum leap over the Pixel 6, but a smart, step-by-step improvement over its predecessor, reviewers say.
That’s a good thing, says Digital Trends, calling the phone “subtly elegant.”
Digital Trends lauds the superb camera, excellent battery life and outstanding price. But it beats the Pixel 7 for sluggish 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 a lot of money when things go wrong? Better to fix it yourself, and in that department stumbles Google Pixel 7. According to the evaluation of Electronics Hub, it is the device that takes the longest to be repaired by consumers.
At least there’s this: In 2022, Google partnered with iFixit to make its original smartphone components available for DIY consumers to purchase.
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