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iFixit teardown of the new AirPods 5 reveals first real repairability improvement
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- iFixit's teardown of the new AirPods 5 reveals a slight improvement in repairability, awarding them a score of 2 out of 10, up from the previous 0/10 for all earlier models.
- The key improvement is that the batteries inside each earbud can now be removed and replaced without destroying the device, though this requires skill or adventurous DIY effort.
- Despite this progress, the earbuds still have non-interchangeable left and right batteries due to reversed polarity and different contact placements, and further internal repairs remain impossible without damage.
- The charging case remains just as difficult to repair, with no accessible components without destruction, maintaining overall low repairability.
- iFixit's teardown includes detailed CT scans showcasing the compact internal design, highlighting Apple's dense packing of components like batteries, microphones, and the H2 chip.
