When people buy wireless earbuds, they usually accept that the batteries will eventually die and the whole set will end up in the trash. The repair experts over at iFixit just took apart the newest offering from Apple to see if things have changed. Their teardown of the new AirPods 5 reveals a small but very real improvement in how these devices are put together, making them the most repairable model released so far.
Earbud batteries are now slightly easier to remove and replace
For the first time, independent technicians and skilled builders have a fighting chance to swap out dead batteries in the earbuds. In the past, trying to open these tiny devices meant destroying the outer plastic shell completely. Now, applying heat from a regular hairdryer softens the glue enough to pop the earbuds open safely.
While it is still a delicate process, this change means a dead battery does not automatically force you to buy a whole new pair. iFixit noted that people with some patience and the right tools will likely see a decent success rate when performing this specific repair.
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Here is a look at the official repairability scores across the different models:
- AirPods 1, 2, 3, and 4: 0 out of 10
- AirPods Pro models: 0 out of 10
- AirPods 5: 2 out of 10
The charging case remains nearly impossible to open without damage
Even though the earbuds themselves show progress, the charging case is a different story. The teardown video highlights that getting inside the case is just as difficult as it was on older models like the AirPods Pro. The internal components are tightly packed and held together by massive amounts of strong adhesive.
Attempting to replace the battery inside the case will still result in a destroyed outer shell. Because you have to break the plastic to get inside, putting everything back together into a working product is simply out of the question.
Even with a low overall score of two out of ten, seeing any positive movement is great news for buyers who want their expensive electronics to last longer than just a couple of years.
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