Understand
iFixit Gives Apple's AirPods 5 a 2/10 Repairability Score After 10 Years of 0/10 Ratings
Overview
After a decade of awarding AirPods a 0/10 repairability score, iFixit has torn down the AirPods 5 and given them a 2/10. While the individual earbuds feature a redesigned setup with removable pronged batteries that can be accessed using common tools like a hairdryer and a clamp, the charging case remains completely unrepairable due to heavy gluing and plastic welding.
Key points
- Apple's AirPods 5 feature an IP57 water and dust resistance rating, active noise cancellation, and touch controls, priced under $150.
- For the first time in ten years, the earbuds feature pronged batteries that can be removed and replaced without destroying the earbud.
- A teardown test confirmed that a user can open the earbuds using a household hairdryer and a clamp instead of specialized professional jigs.
- Left and right batteries have slightly reversed polarities and off-center welded prongs, meaning they are physically specific to each side.
- The charging case remains extremely difficult to open, relying on tight seams and melted plastic welds that lead to its destruction during teardown.
- Apple offers no official parts or repair manuals, contributing to an overall repairability score of 2 out of 10 for the AirPods 5.