iFixit has once again given Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 3 a brutal 0/10 repairability score, calling them “disposable by design.”
The teardown reveals that despite the earbuds’ impressive list of new features – including heart-rate tracking, improved noise cancellation, foam-infused tips, and better water resistance – they’re still impossible to fix when the battery fades. Crack one open and you’ll find glue everywhere, from the tiny internal batteries to the charging case itself, which can’t be opened without destroying it.
This isn’t exactly new: iFixit has given 0/10 ratings to all previous AirPods (excepting AirPods Max) too. They note that while Apple’s engineering is undeniably sophisticated, the moment the batteries wear out, the buds are effectively e-waste. Even attempting a careful teardown results in cosmetic damage, and reassembly is almost impossible without further harm.
Apple’s pursuit of sleek, compact, and water-resistant hardware likely leaves little room for modular construction, with the company clearly prioritising those things over repairability. While competing brands like Fairphone’s Fairbuds prove that small, high-quality earbuds can be designed for repair, Apple clearly doesn’t like the trade-off. Something would have to give, whether that’s size, cost, or features.
Apple seems happier to bet that most users are content to replace their AirPods every few years. Although the teardown suggests the batteries only last 18 months, I’ve personally been using an older set of AirPods for many years now – mileage will vary a lot based on your personal usage. Judging by continued sales success, Apple might be right – but iFixit’s teardown is a stark reminder that the world’s most popular earbuds are still built to be thrown away.