iFixit opened the earbuds and discovered every part glued in place. Technicians could not remove or replace components without breaking them. The charging case also failed the repair test. Its internal battery was sealed with strong adhesive, blocking even basic servicing.
Smaller Battery, Shorter Life
The teardown showed each earbud carries a 0.221Wh battery. The case houses a 1.334Wh cell, smaller than earlier models. Unlike the AirPods Pro 2, which used a twin-cell design, the Pro 3 uses a single-cell setup. This cut overall listening time from 30 hours down to 24. Users now have fewer hours of use and no option to replace worn-out batteries.
Environmental Concerns
Critics say the design fuels electronic waste. Once the batteries lose capacity, the earbuds and case face disposal instead of repair. Competing brands have introduced buds with replaceable batteries, but Apple has not taken that step. The teardown again raises doubts about Apple’s commitment to its green goals.
Looking Ahead
Customers often hope new AirPods will bring better repair options. Yet the AirPods Pro 3 show no change in Apple’s approach. For now, they remain stylish but short-lived devices, meant to be replaced rather than repaired.
