Samsung’s newest Galaxy S26 Extremely already hit the fingers of reviewers and early prospects, and we handed the smartphone a 4/5 assessment rating ourselves. We have discovered so much concerning the new flagship already, however one long-term query we nonetheless have is how the {hardware} will maintain up over time (and the way simple it’s going to be to repair if it breaks). The model’s wonderful seven-year Android OS improve promise is certain to carry robust, and the {hardware} must be each sturdy and repairable sufficient to maintain up.
iFixit shed some gentle on the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s repairability with their official teardown video, revealed on YouTube at this time. The teardown, which ends in a repairability rating, was a blended bag. There have been some notable wins for Samsung, and Galaxy S26 Extremely consumers, plus just a few perplexing selections. In all, the Galaxy S26 Extremely nonetheless lags behind Apple and Google flagships when it comes to repairability.
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At this time’s finest Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely offers
The simple-to-replace battery and USB-C highlights are wins
(Picture credit score: iFixit)
Battery repairs are an important for any rechargeable system. Batteries are consumable parts that degrade over time, so when you use a telephone lengthy sufficient, it’s going to ultimately want a battery alternative. That is why, if there’s one smartphone restore that needs to be simple, it is the battery. iFixit discovered that the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s battery is surprisingly easy to swap after eradicating the telephone’s again panel and getting the decrease speaker meeting out of the way in which.
Liberating the speaker reveals the cables wanted to disconnect the battery. After that is accomplished, the Galaxy S26 Extremely battery alternative course of seems to be seamless. iFixit praised the battery launch mechanism used right here, which incorporates a plastic embrace lined with glue. When eradicating the battery and plastic pull tab, the glue simply peels away.
Galaxy S26 Extremely Teardown: Superb… Till It Breaks – YouTube
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The USB-C port was equally simple to disassemble, and that is ideally suited as a result of it’s one other part that’s subjected to fixed put on over time. iFixit found the port is modular, identical to on different latest Galaxy telephones, making for a simple swap.
The display screen and different advanced elements aren’t as thrilling
(Picture credit score: iFixit)
The teardown course of obtained difficult when the iFixit workforce tried to take away the show. For starters, the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s selfie digital camera is closely glued to the show meeting, making removing tough. After transferring to the display screen itself, iFixit used extraordinarily excessive warmth and a suction cup to try to dislodge the show.
The display screen itself ended up separating as a result of drive earlier than it could possibly be eliminated, highlighting the finicky restore course of that can be tough for even seasoned techs to drag off. Even after the display screen separated, iFixit nonetheless wanted a warmth gun and plenty of elbow grease to free it from the chassis.
As a result of complexity of Galaxy S26 Extremely selfie digital camera and display screen replacements, it is not a easy restore. The telephone solely opens a method, so the repairer should take away the again panel and work their means in the direction of the display screen to exchange it. As such, individuals in want of a full display screen or selfie digital camera alternative won’t assume the restore course of or value is well worth the problem.
Samsung is falling behind Apple and Google in repairability
(Picture credit score: iFixit)
Lastly, for the rating. iFixit gave the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely a 5/10 rating on its smartphone repairability rating, and the smartphone loses to latest Apple and Google launches. The Google Pixel 10 earned a 6/10 rating, whereas the iPhone 17 earned a 7/10 rating. iFixit’s workforce cited the display screen removing course of and the dearth of dependable elements and restore manuals as just a few explanation why Samsung is not as much as par.
iFixit cites the problem of discovering restore elements on Samsung’s official retailer, which regularly options cryptic mannequin numbers with out descriptive textual content or imagery. By comparability, Apple’s self-service restore retailer makes it simple to search out elements, lease instruments, and entry official restore manuals. Google partnered with iFixit itself to promote official Pixel elements and create restore guides. For all that has been mentioned about Apple or Google’s repairability woes previously, each corporations have taken robust steps lately.
So, the place’s Samsung in all of this? For now, simply sitting on the sidelines. Whereas it continues to innovate in different methods, just like the Flex Magic Pixel OLED powering the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show, it simply is not doing so on the repairability entrance. Primarily based on the outcomes of iFixit’s teardown, I believe we are able to anticipate extra from a $1,300 flagship.
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely can be coated with seven years of full Android OS help, however will the {hardware} final that lengthy? iFixit’s teardown is sweet information on the battery entrance, though the whole lot else appears to be up within the air.
