Just a few weeks prior, I highlighted the Google Pixel 9a as one of the top budget smartphones of the year. However, a well-known tech YouTuber is now advising caution — and after viewing his recent video, I can see why.

Zack Nelson, the mind behind the popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything (boasting over 9 million subscribers), has just uploaded a video in which he subjects the Pixel 9a to his customary durability tests and conducts a complete teardown of the device. While he points out a few minor issues with the phone’s build quality and its resistance to water and dust, there’s one significant warning for DIY repair advocates: the battery is exceedingly hard to extract.

In his teardown, Nelson discloses that Google has extensively glued in the Pixel 9a’s 5,100mAh battery — the same battery that impressed us during our longevity tests. Unlike many other major smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, who have shifted away from this kind of adhesive-intensive design, Google seems to be holding on to it. This makes at-home battery replacements quite a daunting task.

This is particularly disappointing considering the larger industry trend toward more repair-friendly devices. In recent years, tech giants have made considerable progress in endorsing the Right to Repair movement. Some companies, like Framework, even create their products specifically with repairability in mind. In contrast, Google’s approach with the Pixel 9a appears to be a regression.

Nonetheless, the Pixel 9a has still garnered generally favorable reviews — including from myself — for its performance, camera, and overall worth. And realistically, most users aren’t likely to open their phone, much less attempt to replace the battery on their own.

Still, if you’re someone who treasures the possibility of repairing or prolonging the life of your devices, this is something to remember before purchasing. While the Pixel 9a remains a strong option for many, its lack of repairability might be a dealbreaker for the more hands-on technology enthusiasts.