AirPods 5 Teardown: Batteries Removable, Case Still Tough
Repair site iFixit today took apart Apple's AirPods 5 for one of its traditional teardown videos. It turns out the new AirPods are slightly more repairable than prior models, but it's still not a simple home fix. The ‌AirPods 5‌ use pronged batteries that Apple previously used in the AirPods 3, but not the AirPods 4. The battery can be removed with a "nifty pair of tongs," and iFixit…
iFixit recently disassembled Apple's AirPods 5 to assess its repairability, and the results show the new AirPods are slightly more repairable than previous models, though still challenging for home users. The AirPods 5 utilize pronged batteries similar to those in the AirPods 3, but not the AirPods 4. These batteries are easily removable using a specialized set of tongs, making the process intuitive.
In contrast, the AirPods 3 lacked an accessible way to reach the earbud internals. With the AirPods 5, iFixit was able to access the device using a hair dryer to soften the adhesive and a clamp to hold the earbud steady. The left and right earbuds house distinct batteries with opposite polarity, preventing the interchange of a left AirPod's battery with a right AirPod's.
Despite the improved repair score, iFixit deemed the case "still a disaster" and difficult to open without causing damage. The company awarded the AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2/10, up from the 0/10 rating given to all earlier versions. Skilled technicians and determined DIY enthusiasts should be able to successfully replace the AirPods batteries with a reasonable success rate.
Written by urgent.news from MacRumors's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
