AirPods Pro Teardown: Heavier Than Original AirPods, Different Battery, Same Zero Repairability Score

iFixit today shared a teardown of the new $249 AirPods Pro, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the organization awarded Apple's latest wireless earphones the same zero repairability score as both versions of original AirPods.

airpods pro teardown ifixit
Apart from the replaceable $4-a-pair proprietary silicone tips that provide noise isolation and enhanced fit on the ‌AirPods Pro‌, it's the same story as Apple's previous generation AirPods as far as repairs go. But there were a couple of new tidbits of information that the disassembly did reveal.

In terms of weight, each AirPod Pro bud comes in at 0.19 oz (5.4 g), which is fully a third heavier than the prior version AirPod earbuds. The new charging case is also notably chunkier, weighing 1.61 oz (45.6 g), compared to the original case's 1.34 oz (38 g).

ifixit
iFixit also discovered a 1.98 Wh watch-style button cell battery inside each AirPod, replacing the pin-type battery found in the original AirPods. iFixit notes that this could be the same battery found in Samsung's Galaxy Buds, and those are replaceable, but Apple has tethered the battery to a soldered cable, so AirPods customers will have no such luck.

As noted by iFixit, Apple apparently confirmed on Wednesday that the new ‌AirPods Pro‌ are no more repairable than previous versions of the wireless earbuds because of their size and build process.

For its part, however, iFixit believes Apple could theoretically replace the in-ear portion of the earbuds and re-use the original stems – which include the System on Package (SiP), antennas, microphones, and Force sensor – but the company has chosen not to do so, for whatever reason. iFixit's teardown concludes:

While theoretically semi-serviceable, the non-modular, glued-together design and lack of replacement parts makes repair both impractical and uneconomical.

From a customer perspective, this means that once the battery dies in the ‌AirPods Pro‌, it will need to be completely replaced. The left and right AirPod cost $89 each to replace in the United States, totaling $178 for a pair.

However, the fees are lower if a customer has purchased AppleCare+ for Headphones. The plan costs $29 upfront, plus charges a $29 fee to replace a pair of damaged ‌AirPods Pro‌ or their case. This coverage applies for up to two years from the date ‌AppleCare‌+ is purchased and is limited to two incidents.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

keysofanxiety Avatar
53 months ago
Tim is KILLING this company. I wish Apple would make PROPER in-ear headphones.

- Replaceable battery
- Modular RAM
- Ethernet port
- SD card reader

Of course that would impact the bottom line by SOLDERING everything. Disgusting practice.
Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmilo Avatar
53 months ago
I love how Apple always just HAS to solder everything for no obvious reason yet claims they are so environmental. Hypocrites
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wanted797 Avatar
53 months ago
Has any company ever made earphones like this that are actually repairable...
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mydel Avatar
53 months ago
This are "single use" items. Frankly speaking I think it should be banned. There was nothing wrong with wired headphones that did not need battery etc and were lasting many years. Now you pay 250USD and have basically couple years of use until battery gives up. I will not support that practice neither from Apple nor any other company
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aroom Avatar
53 months ago
company who produce non repairable product like this should be taxed like hell, if they can't use their engineering skills to produce more eco-friendly products on their own will.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
53 months ago
Why do people think the batteries in something this small should be user replaceable? To design that you’d have a completely different product and one much larger.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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