Pixel 6a Tear down

[PowrDroid]

They do. Soldered everything fails more frequently than screwed in everything. Solder just isn't very durable, screws are.

Like it or not, there is only one reason for them to have done this... It's cheap.

OK, thanks for the answer.

I would also assume the guy that made the video downgraded it for repairability because the port is integrated into/onto the circuit board and can't be purchased separately.

 

[PowrDroid]

Out of curiosity I checked YouTube for the teardown video for the Pixel 5a, which I also own. Turns out the USB port is soldered AND screwed in place. So I guess it's not going to break, but if it does it will be hard to repair.

Here is the video, and the relevant time stamps if you want to jump right to the USB port subject matter.

1:25 shows the screws holding the phone together including the metal bracket over the USB port. Besides anchoring the USB port the screws also hold the circuit board onto the case.

1:34-1:40 shows the metal bracket over the USB port being removed.

4:26-4:33 description of the USB port.

https://youtu.be/r8uaCrGkca8

 

[mustang7757]

I personally like screws with ribbon

 

[Stanley Kubrick]

I was going to reply to those who had a concern with my opinion on the soldered USB port....but it looks like it was covered quite well by many others. As with anything in the physical realm of tech...YMMV.
But "if" I was to ever get this phone I would be concerned because I do not use wireless buds for sound...I am a wired man all the way. So, on top of plugging in the USB charger every day or two, I would also be plugging in a USB dongle on a daily basis. That is a lot of wear and tear on a part of the phone that if it did break......that would NOT be good, because now you would have absolutely NO WAY to charge the phone! I believe ALL phones should have the headphone jack like mine does, as well as wireless charging just in case the USB port were to fail.