iFixIt: AirPods Pro 3 are "unrepairable"
Apple's new in-ear earbuds with heart rate measurement can only be thrown away if they are defective, the repair experts write.
Without destroying the AirPods Pro 3, there is little for dismantlers to do.
(Image: iFixIt)
AirPods have never been easier to repair. For example, there has been no way to open their housing without destroying it for years. Anyone hoping that this might change with the newly released AirPods Pro 3 will unfortunately be disappointed: they are still “impossible to repair,” as the repair specialists at iFixit have now discovered in their official teardown. As usual, the new ANC earbuds therefore receive a “reparability score” of exactly 0 out of 10 possible points.
Changes to the battery
To take a look inside the AirPods Pro 3, heat treatment is required to dissolve the adhesive—and a sharp knife. Even this causes damage to the plastic. The battery—the element that you probably want to swap most often—is sealed as usual and cannot be removed without force. One 0.221 Wh battery is installed in each AirPod and a single 1334 Wh cell in the charging case.
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Two were installed in the AirPods Pro 2, which means that the charging capacity of the case alone has been reduced. In practice, this means that the AirPods Pro 3 last 8 hours even with ANC, but only 24 hours with recharging in the case—and not 30 as with the AirPods Pro 2. Replacing the battery both in the case and especially in the AirPods is considered extremely difficult and is very rarely offered in stores. Apple itself simply replaces the hardware; the battery goes over the Jordan.
Thin layer of foam
The positioning of the magnets inside the charging case has been changed, and there are fewer of them. Apple no longer uses a mechanical switch. The improved ear pads (foam tips) contain a reasonably thin layer of foam. This should help to improve insulation from the outside world.
All in all, neither the AirPods themselves nor the charging case are designed for easy repair. Why Apple is still doing this in 2025, only the company itself knows. The case is also fully glued and can only be opened with a great deal of effort. It would take a surgeon's hands to do this without scratching. The AirPods Pro 3 are available in stores for 249 euros.
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