Summary
It’s been true for a while now that Apple’s AirPods have been effectively disposable, with [iFixit] slapping each successive generation with an abysmal 0/10 repairability score. The moment that any of the built-in batteries faltered you could effectively toss the whole package out as e-waste.
Interestingly, with the fifth generation it would seem that a battery swap in the earbuds is now actually possible without whole-scale destruction, according to the [iFixit] teardown video.
Although it’s still a far cry from the demonstrated FairBuds battery replacement, this time around a bit of gentle heat allows for the glued-together earbud to cleanly separate, with inside a socketed coin cell. The catch here is that the polarity on these sockets differs between the left and right earbud, which was discovered after a quick swap.
Unfortunately this same easy-to-open change doesn’t carry over to the case for the earbuds, which still requires physical destruction of the plastic to get to its battery. Accordingly [iFixit] gives this generation of AirPods a generous 2/10. Although a step in the right direction, it seems clear that if repairability or even simply being able to replace the batteries is a concern, the AirPod’s probably aren’t for you.
Last year’s third generation AirPods made [iFixit] really angry, so this is borderline glowing praise. Of course, the issue with non-removable batteries remains a problem, especially when new EU regulations that should have fixed this get watered down.
I would like to have seen if they go back together as neat as they were from factory! In particular, you wouldn’t want any rough bits in your ear.
Never understood the affection to in-ear speakers, the sound quality isn’t even good.
Why not using a pair of good old stereo headphones instead?
The ones that came with the original Sony Walkman are fine, arent’t they? 🙂
I mean those lightweight aluminium metal strips with the puffy orange pads,
the classic cassette player headphones. 😃
Far easier to tune earbuds consistently as they’re jammed directly an ear canal. The form factor is superior for users wearing helmets and glasses too.
I’m so curious how mirrored batteries made it through their design process….
Like surely using the same cell on either side would be a supply chain and assembly risk simplification?
Or they just took the concept of just mirror the cad to the extreme…
They’re not mirrored, the pins on one side are also offset differently.
This is Apple we’re talking about. If you’re buying 10 million of one battery or 5 million of one and 5 million of another probably doesn’t matter at that scale. You’re already selling at a huge markup after all.