iFixit Teardown of the New AirPods 5 Reveals First Real Repairability Improvement
iFixit said the earbuds’ batteries can be replaced without destroying them, giving AirPods a 2/10 repair score for the first time.
- Apple's new AirPods 5 received a repairability score of 2 out of 10, marking the first time the earbuds scored above zero since the original AirPods launched in 2016.
- Since Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016, they consistently received 0 out of 10 for repairability. Previous generations featured heavily glued-in batteries and soldered connections, making repairs nearly impossible.
- Batteries inside each earbud can now be removed without destroying the AirPods, though accessing internal components and the charging case remains impossible, limiting repairs to battery replacement alone.
- While the design is slightly more DIY-friendly, Apple still requires skilled professionals or adventurous DIY enthusiasts to perform repairs, with a regular hairdryer showing the complexity involved.
- Detailed CT scans reveal how Apple packed batteries, MEMS microphones, and internal chips densely inside each earbud. Batteries are not interchangeable due to reversed polarity and distinct contact placement, further complicating repairs.
23 Articles
23 Articles
AirPods 5 climbs a few notches in repairability score, although it remains complex according to iFixit
Two Points After a Decade of Zeroes: AirPods 5 Batteries Finally Come Out Intact
iFixit scored Apple’s AirPods 5 a 2/10 for repairability, ending a decade of zeros, because earbud batteries can now be swapped with care. The case stays unfixable and official parts are unavailable. Repair shops may keep more pairs in service longer as a result of the design tweak.
Batteries Make AirPods 5 More Repairable Than Older Models, But Not By Much
Switching from soldered batteries to pronged ones gets Apple's latest earbuds a 2/10 repairability rating from iFixit, up from 0/10 for previous versions. AirPods have long been difficult to repair, but Apple may finally be making some progress.A new iFixit teardown finds that the AirPods 5 are slightly more repairable than their predecessors. While AirPods released in the past …
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