Pixel Watch 5 Matches 9/10 iFixit Score With 465 mAh Battery and Easier Access

Q: Does the Pixel Watch 5's reusable gasket truly protect against water damage as effectively as traditional adhesive?

Yes—when it is intact and properly reinstalled, the Pixel Watch 5’s reusable O-ring gasket can protect against water about as effectively as adhesive for normal rated use. That is because water resistance does not depend on glue itself so much as on the quality of the seal. iFixit’s teardown and Google’s repair documentation indicate the Pixel Watch 5 keeps its IP68 and 5ATM ratings using a latch-and-gasket system similar to a traditional dive watch. In watchmaking, compressed rubber or elastomer gaskets are a standard and proven way to keep out water, often preferable to adhesive because they are designed specifically for sealing. The advantage is that the gasket can be reopened and reused, preserving serviceability without automatically sacrificing sealing. But “as effective” has limits. Gaskets are wear parts: they can deform, harden, pick up debris, or be pinched during reassembly. Even iFixit notes the gasket can be replaced during repair, which matters because seals do age. So the reusable gasket is not inherently weaker than adhesive. In fact, it may be more technically sound than glue-heavy designs if it is clean, undamaged, correctly seated, and pressure-tested after service. The practical risk is not the concept, but maintenance quality. As with any repaired watch, repeated openings or poor reassembly can reduce real-world water resistance even if the original design is strong.

3 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Sep 5

iFixit gave the Google Pixel Watch 5 a provisional 9/10 repairability score, saying Google kept the repair-friendly design introduced on the Pixel Watch 4.
Two screws and a latch-and-o-ring enclosure let users remove the sensor glass and reach the battery, vibrator motor and mainboard without heavy disassembly, unlike adhesive-sealed rival smartwatches.
Color-coded screws now guide teardown steps, while the 45mm model’s battery rises to 465 mAh — a 2.2% increase — alongside a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chip, 3GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Display removal remains the main weak point: iFixit said it still requires several screws, a bracket and a press connector, and could be simplified further.
Google also provides repair manuals and spare parts, though iFixit disclosed a business relationship with Google and said it remains biased toward repairable products.