Apple’s AirPods 5 have taken a small but notable step toward easier repairs. An iFixit teardown found that technicians can replace the batteries inside the earbuds, although the charging case remains inaccessible.
The change helped AirPods 5 earn a repairability score of 2. Previous AirPods models had consistently scored zero, according to the report.
AirPods 5 Batteries Can Be Replaced
The biggest improvement comes from the earbuds themselves. A technician can clamp an earbud and apply heat to remove its outer cover.
After opening the shell, the technician can reach the battery. A small amount of glue holds it in place, while two prongs provide the connection.
Therefore, a worn battery may no longer mean the end of the entire earbud. The teardown image on page three also shows the battery removed from the opened AirPod, highlighting the new level of access.
However, repairs still have an important limitation. Each AirPod uses a battery with opposite polarity. As a result, technicians cannot interchange batteries between the left and right earbuds.
Charging Case Remains a Repair Challenge
While Apple improved the earbuds, the charging case tells a different story. iFixit could not access its internal battery, even with specialized tools.
Consequently, the case accounts for much of the product’s continuing repair difficulty. If its battery reaches the end of its useful life, owners may need a replacement case or another set of AirPods.
The case does contain a larger battery than each earbud. Therefore, the report suggests it may take longer to wear out.
A Small Step Toward Longer AirPods Life
Battery access matters because rechargeable cells lose capacity as they age. Making them replaceable can extend a device’s useful life and reduce unnecessary replacement.
Still, AirPods 5 remain far from fully repairable. The report argues that Apple will need to improve charging-case access if it wants to make future AirPods easier to maintain and reduce electronic waste.
