iFixit Tore Down the AirPods Pro 3 And It Wasn’t Pretty…
Apple’s AirPods have a reputation: they’re disposable. Once the battery wears out, replacing it is so difficult that most people just buy a new pair. iFixit has been tearing down tech for years, and every set of AirPods they’ve tested has earned a 0 out of 10 on the repairability scale. The AirPods Pro 3 are no exception, but iFixit did find one change worth pointing out.
Opening the AirPods Pro 3
iFixit started the teardown the only way possible: by removing the silicone ear tip. After taking it off, they even sliced the tip in half to take a closer look at the redesign Apple highlighted during the launch event. While there wasn’t much to see with the naked eye, under the microscope the new foam-infused tips stood out. These are meant to improve noise isolation compared to earlier designs, though there’s still no Apple-sanctioned way to replace them.
Photos from iFixit
With the tip set aside, iFixit moved on to the harder part, applying 100°C of heat around the seam of the bud to soften the glue. Even then, the plastic shell didn’t give easily. Careful heating and prying with precision tools eventually cracked it open, but not without leaving visible marks on the casing.
This alone explains why most independent shops won’t touch AirPods repairs. Just opening them up requires specialized tools, a steady hand, and the acceptance that the earbud will never look quite the same again.
Photos from iFixit
Inside the Buds
With the shell finally off, iFixit uncovered the tiny button cell battery inside. At first glance, this looked like the same story as every other AirPods teardown: a glued-in cell, covered in adhesive, with no clear way to remove it.
But then came the surprise. Instead of being soldered or permanently fused to the circuitry, the AirPods Pro 3 battery connects with a small press connector. This is a first for Apple’s earbuds. On older models, batteries were either soldered in or glued so heavily to the flex cable that replacement was nearly impossible without destroying something. Here, the connector makes it at least theoretically easier to disconnect and swap the battery.
Why It’s Still Difficult
Even with the connector, the repair process is still far from simple. iFixit had to:
Apply more heat from the rework station to soften the adhesive.
Gently lever the battery out with tweezers while avoiding damage to the thin plastic walls.
Work around ribbons and microphones glued deep inside the housing, which tore easily under pressure.
At one point, the teardown team noted that this felt like the “easiest AirPods battery removal yet”, but only because the bar was already set so low. In practice, even a successful removal leaves cosmetic damage and creates new challenges when resealing the earbud.
The Rest of the Components
Past the battery, iFixit ran into even more trouble. The flex cable that links the driver side to the stem could have been designed with a simple connector, but instead it was glued and routed deep inside the shell. Removing it required desoldering points on the board and prying away adhesive, which destroyed microphones and tore the ribbon cable.
Photos from iFixit
The stem itself held the H2 chip and microphone array, but again, everything was glued into place. Getting inside meant melting plastic and cutting through the housing, completely destroying the bud.
The Charging Case
iFixit didn’t stop at the earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 case also got a teardown, though here the results were no better. The internal battery is glued in just like before, and attempts to pry it out risk breaking the entire housing.
Photos from iFixit
Instead of ripping it apart, iFixit used CT scans from Lumafield to peek inside. The scans revealed that Apple switched from a twin-cell design in the AirPods Pro 2 case to a single 1.334 Wh battery in the Pro 3 case. While this saves space, it also reduces the advertised listening time from 30 hours down to 24 hours.
Photos from iFixit
The scans also showed a reduction in rare earth magnets, which Apple strategically repositioned to maintain MagSafe and Qi2 compatibility while cutting down on material use.
A Glimpse Back to My Own Repair
Watching this teardown reminded me of when I once tried replacing the battery in my old AirPods Pro. Unlike the Pro 3’s connector, mine had a flap-style connector buried under glue. Removing the battery meant hours under the microscope, soldering tiny joints, and trying not to rip fragile cables.
So yes, the Pro 3 is technically an improvement, but only on paper. In reality, the repair is still a nightmare and iFixit’s 0/10 repairability score makes that perfectly clear.
Final Verdict
The AirPods Pro 3 may bring better water resistance, health sensors, and improved ANC, but they’re still not built for longevity. iFixit’s teardown proves that while Apple introduced a battery connector, a rare win for repairability, everything else is still sealed shut with glue.
That connector makes the repair look easier in theory, but in practice, you still need specialized tools, expert-level skills, and a willingness to destroy your earbuds just to swap a dying battery.
Until Apple designs earbuds that can be opened and serviced without a microscope and heat gun, AirPods will keep sounding great but living short, disposable lives.
See you in the next article!
