Apple claims that the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best active noise cancellation of all in-ear wireless headphones. They can also measure your heartbeat during workouts with the new PPG sensor on board. However, there is one area where Apple"s flagship wireless earbuds have failed the test.
The repair manual website iFixit cracked open a pair of AirPods Pro 3 to find out how repairable they are and met with disappointment, again. iFixit has awarded the AirPods Pro 3 a repairability score of zero, continuing its nine-year streak of zero scores for the AirPods Pro lineup.
The video shows the presenter using specialized tools to heat one of the AirPod earbuds and dismantle its components, noting that it was the "easiest battery removal" they have seen in AirPods. It was revealed that a single AirPod contained a 0.221Wh cell inside; however, the hopes of more repair-friendly AirPods this time were quickly shattered as the presenter uncovered Apple"s complex design.
AirPods Pro are among the most compact wearable devices available. However, they are also one of the most unrepairable products due to the way Apple engineers them, by cramming custom-designed components into the smallest possible footprint.
The website notes that Apple has used glued-in batteries in its design from the very first generation of AirPods. If not impossible, the battery replacement becomes so hard that most independent repair shops won"t even attempt to repair it.
Apple glues the batteries in the charging case as well, which is significantly bigger in size compared to the earbuds. According to the video, Apple uses a single-cell 1.334Wh battery for the case, replacing the twin-cell setup used in previous generations. Going by the numbers, AirPods Pro 3 offer up to 8 hours on a single charge and 24 hours with the case.
A CT scan of the case revealed that Apple engineers have reduced the rare earth magnets in the case and placed the magnets more strategically to achieve the same results when aligning with the MagSafe and Qi2 chargers.
Apple might be able to justify the low repairability by pointing towards its seamless design and improved water and dust resistance that have been enhanced over multiple generations of AirPods Pro. However, repairability is something people can"t ignore because, like other devices, AirPods are also powered by batteries that wear out after about two to three years.
A device that is almost impossible to assemble after dismantling only creates discomfort for the buyers. You can get your battery replaced for free if you have an AppleCare plan, or pay a fee for out-of-warranty repairs. However, Apple also replaces the affected earbud or case, rather than swapping the battery.
Device makers like Fairphone have proven that it"s possible to design TWS earbuds with replaceable batteries while still achieving a respectable IP54 rating. Apple"s own AirTag (IP67) is a compact tracker with a removable cover that allows for battery replacement, offering better dust resistance than the AirPods Pro 3 (IP57).
That said, all we can do for now is wait for the day when Apple finally faces the music and tunes the AirPods Pro to the sound of reparability.