iFixit Starts Tearing Down AirPods Max

iFixit today began disassembling Apple's new AirPods Max headphones for one of its traditional device teardowns, with the aim of determining whether the ‌AirPods Max‌ are repairable to any degree or an "e-waste disaster." The teardown is in progress and will be updated over the course of the next few days.

ifixit airpods max xray
This is an early, partial disassembly that also includes a quick x-ray look inside the headphones. The x-ray view provides a glimpse at the battery cell in each ear cup, dual-ring speaker driver magnets, alignment magnets, brackets for microphones, and more.

iFixit did not find it easy to get into the ‌AirPods Max‌ and there was quite a bit of glue involved. There are two logic boards inside riddled with chips, which iFixit plans to identify later in more detail.

ifixit airpods max teardown
So far, there are no other details available on the ‌AirPods Max‌ as the teardown is ongoing, but iFixit says that it will be updated over the coming days and there's "lots more to come" including some surprises for headphone fans.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

macsrcool1234 Avatar
66 months ago
it's ok guys, it doesn't matter that 99% of their products are unrepairable.

apple is saving the environment by screwing customers out of chargers.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
66 months ago

I predict a low repair score as usual with Apple.
I agree, and at the same time, I'm not sure there is any over the ears headphone that would get a high score, and, would be interested if fixit has ever done a teardown on any over the ear headphone
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MDF314159265 Avatar
66 months ago
All that space and they didn’t include even a little storage capacity? Imagine the capability of having some playlists/albums stored locally within the headset. That would have been convenient for some.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
66 months ago
I predict a low repair score as usual with Apple.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
66 months ago

I predict a low repair score as usual with Apple.
What exactly do you mean by as usual? Low repair score in general or low repair score for things that should get a low repair score? I ask because Apple's most popular item -the iPhone- always gets a good repair score. Certain things don't get a good repair score because they aren't meant to be repaired.

Let me guess. It get’s a zero for repairability. Honestly, the clickbait with these guys...
Let me guess. You've never seen an iPhone repairability score. The clickbait. :rolleyes:
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedTheReader Avatar
66 months ago
It all boils down to whether or not the battery is replaceable and if so, how difficult it is to replace it.

That’s it. That’s 95% of the repairability factor in regards to how long the product can last. The main issue with regular AirPods is that the battery can’t practically be replaced, so the entire headphones die. That’s what I’m hoping to see avoided here.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)