When you think of the concept of a disposable watch, you probably don’t immediately think of an image of Google recently revealed Pixel watch 3but in fact that is exactly what it is: a disposable product, good as long as it lasts and which has to be thrown away as soon as something goes wrong.
Google confirmed today that the Pixel Watch 3, like both of its predecessors, is not repairable. So if you have an issue with yours, no matter what it is, it won’t be repaired. Instead, you’ll be getting a replacement Pixel Watch 3.
For all the talk about how recyclable the new Pixel smartphone box is, or how smartphone makers are saving the planet by making you pay extra for a charger (and shipping it separately in even more packaging material), it seems a notable oversight not to consider just how damaging a “no repair” policy for an electronic device like this is to the environment.
It’s unclear what will happen to broken watches. We still hope that they won’t end up in landfills, but instead will be taken apart and most of the internals recycled. But that’s just wishful thinking, as Google hasn’t explained.
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google’s solution to this whole problem is Preferred Care, an insurance program available in the US that covers accidental damage and out-of-warranty issues with your Pixel Watch 3 for a $49 service fee.