iFixit released its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 Wednesday, providing a close-up look at new features including the foam-infused ear tips Apple includes for greater sound isolation, as well the new battery scheme and repositioned rare-earth magnets.
But the group’s major finding should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with the company’s wireless earbuds. The latest generation earns the same dismal 0 out of 10 repairability score that has plagued the product line since its inception nine years ago.
iFixit AirPods Pro 3 teardown finds repair all but impossible
The repair specialist’s analysis reveals that the AirPods Pro 3 continue Apple’s streak of creating earbuds that are essentially impossible to service without destroying them in the process. Even skilled technicians would struggle to replace components without causing significant cosmetic damage or completely ruining the devices. But the video, below, also shows off some cool new features.
What’s new inside the AirPods Pro 3
Despite the repairability shortcomings, iFixit’s teardown uncovered several interesting design changes in the third generation model. Each earbud contains a battery cell rated at 0.221 watt-hours, while the charging case houses a single 1.334 watt-hour battery.
The shift from the dual battery cells found in AirPods Pro 2 to a single cell explains why total battery life from the case dropped from 30 hours to 24 hours. However, iFixit noted that the new single battery design is easier to remove than previous models. But this improvement does little to make actual repairs feasible, given the destructive disassembly process required.
Apple also reduced the number of rare earth magnets inside the case. And it repositioned them strategically to maintain full compatibility with MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging.
Foam-infused tips under the microscope
Photo: iFixit
One of the teardown’s most revealing aspects involved examining the new foam-infused ear tips that Apple has incorporated into the design. Under microscopic inspection, the foam reveals a bubbly internal structure encased within the silicon layer. Apple claims it provides a tighter seal and improved noise isolation.
The foam enhancement is primarily visible under magnification, appearing as a small layer at the top of the earbud where it contacts the ear. This represents a subtle but potentially meaningful improvement to comfort and audio performance, even as the overall product remains as difficult to service as ever.
Battery replacements remain impractical
The primary repairability issue stems from Apple’s design choice to seal the batteries inside both the earbuds and charging case with adhesive. Getting inside requires applying heat to melt the glue and prying open the plastic housing, inevitably leaving blemishes and damage. The difficulty is so extreme that many repair shops refuse to even attempt battery replacements.
This design approach raises environmental concerns, particularly since batteries in portable electronics like AirPods typically wear out after two to three years of normal use. Once the battery degrades, users face little choice but to replace the entire unit rather than simply swapping out the failing component.
Watch the iFixit AirPods Pro 3 teardown video
