iFixit has published its teardown of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, and the findings confirm what many long suspected – these earbuds remain among the least repairable consumer tech products on the market. Despite hardware improvements and new health features, the internal design continues Apple’s nine-year streak of unserviceable AirPods.
The teardown shows that while AirPods Pro 3 offer features such as heart rate monitoring, improved noise cancellation powered by the H2 chip, and upgraded IP57 water resistance, none of these advancements address the long-standing issue of glued-in batteries. Every component is sealed with adhesive, making repairs nearly impossible without specialized tools and risking irreversible cosmetic or structural damage.
iFixit first labeled AirPods “a tragedy” years ago, and CEO Kyle Wiens went as far as calling them “evil” for their disposable design. AirPods Pro 3 continue that legacy. Once the batteries wear out in two to three years, most users will have no choice but to replace them entirely, fueling electronic waste.
Compared to earlier versions, there are some design changes. The buds feature foam-infused ear tips for better isolation, and the charging case has been updated with a single 1.334Wh cell instead of the twin batteries used in AirPods Pro 2. This reduces total additional charge time from 30 hours to 24. Apple has also repositioned its magnets more strategically to maintain MagSafe and Qi2 alignment while reducing its use of rare earth materials. While this is a positive sustainability move, it does not solve the fundamental issue of poor repairability.
iFixit notes that, in theory, the batteries inside the buds can be removed, but in practice, this requires specialized heat tools, significant risk of damage, and no reliable way to reseal the device afterward. Critical components like microphones and flex cables are glued deep into the structure, making access destructive. The charging case is also held together with glue, preventing practical servicing.
Other companies such as Fairphone have proven that compact earbuds can be designed with modular, replaceable batteries. Apple’s choice to maintain its sealed approach means that, despite industry-leading features, AirPods Pro 3 are still disposable. Recyclability also remains poor, with most recyclers unable to process AirPods, leaving Apple’s own take-back program as the only real option.
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3
| Feature | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case battery | Twin cells, 30 hours extra charge | Single 1.334Wh cell, 24 hours extra charge |
| Water resistance | IP54 (splash resistant) | IP57 (dust and water resistant) |
| Health sensors | None | Heart rate via infrared sensor |
| Noise cancellation | H2 chip | H2 chip (refined performance) |
| Repairability score | 0/10 | 0/10 |
Despite progress in performance and health tracking, the teardown verdict is unchanged: the AirPods Pro 3 earn a zero out of ten repairability score. With glued-in batteries, glued microphones, and a sealed case, these earbuds are still designed to be replaced, not repaired.
