LG G Watch Inaugurates Android Wear Teardowns, Scores High Marks for DIY Repair
The LG G Watch (LG-W100) is notable for at least a couple of reasons, the first of which is that it's one of not very many smartwatches rocking Google's promising Android Wear platform. Tying into that tidbit, it also happens to be the first Android Wear device to get the full teardown treatment from the folks over at iFixIt. How did it fare?
Better than most tablets and smartphones. A quick glance at the watch's underbelly reveals a set of familiar T5 screws with swift access to the guts with no adhesive getting in the away. This elicited a hearty, "Thanks, LG!," from the teardown team.
Removing the strap is a bit trickier than some other smartwatches like Samsung's Gear Live and Gear 2 -- instead of pulling out a built-in pin, the LG G requires that you compress the spring with a thumbnail or precision tweezers (you can also use a Swiss Army Knife blade, if that's what you have handy).
Once the T5 screws are removed, there are just a couple of retaining clips to disengage and then you're inside. You'll spy a battery in the rear half, along with a "vibrator and some other fidgety doodads" The front consists of the mainboard and display.
Better than most tablets and smartphones. A quick glance at the watch's underbelly reveals a set of familiar T5 screws with swift access to the guts with no adhesive getting in the away. This elicited a hearty, "Thanks, LG!," from the teardown team.
Removing the strap is a bit trickier than some other smartwatches like Samsung's Gear Live and Gear 2 -- instead of pulling out a built-in pin, the LG G requires that you compress the spring with a thumbnail or precision tweezers (you can also use a Swiss Army Knife blade, if that's what you have handy).
Once the T5 screws are removed, there are just a couple of retaining clips to disengage and then you're inside. You'll spy a battery in the rear half, along with a "vibrator and some other fidgety doodads" The front consists of the mainboard and display.
When it was all said and done, the LG G earned itself a 9 out of 10 score from iFixIt, with higher scores representing devices that are easier to repair. The LG G earned its high mark for using screws and springs that make the rear case "super easy to remove," holding the battery in place with a single Phillips head screwdriver and "minimal adhesive," and an overall clean design. About the only complaint from a DIY perspective is that the LG went with a fused display assembly, a design decision that makes screen replacement a little difficult and costly.
