Apple AirPods 4 and AirPods Max: Repairability Under the Microscope

Apple’s latest AirPods face harsh repairability realities, with implications for sustainability and consumer choice.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Apple’s latest AirPods face harsh repairability realities, with implications for sustainability and consumer choice.

The launch of Apple’s AirPods 4 and AirPods Max with USB-C sparked excitement in the world of wireless audio. However, in the growing context of Right to Repair and sustainability debates, these products are also under scrutiny for their repairability. Teardowns by experts like iFixit and reports from technology analysts have painted a detailed—but troubling—picture of their repair prospects.

Understanding Repairability in Consumer Electronics

As consumer demand grows for longer-lasting devices and user serviceability, repairability scores have become a touchstone of product evaluation. iFixit’s scoring system ranges from zero (unrepairable) to ten (easily repairable), emphasizing criteria such as ease of disassembly, availability of replacement parts, and support documentation.

Disassembly ease: Can consumers open and reassemble products without damage?
Replaceable components: Are batteries, speakers, or ports swappable?
Manufacturer support: Are service manuals and parts provided?

Apple’s wireless audio products, particularly the AirPods line, have long faced criticism for their closed design, making repair difficult or even impossible.

Teardown Analysis: AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 reveal major stumbling blocks for repair fans and sustainability advocates.

Extreme Adhesives and Challenging Disassembly

Specialized jig and heat tools are needed just to open the earbuds, with a heat gun applied to loosen copious adhesive.
Components like speakers and batteries are encased and surrounded by tough glue, which often leads to damaging the device during access.
Opening the stem is even harder, requiring knives and precise cutting—not a consumer-friendly task.

Differentiation between versions: The only notable internal distinction is a larger microphone in the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) variant compared to the standard AirPods 4.

The Charging Case: Still a Fortress

The charging case is packed with a 345mAh battery, identical in capacity to the previous generation.
It’s sealed tightly with glue and has no pull-tabs for battery removal, demanding heat and prying for access—a destructive process.
Tech experts also report the presence of the same printed circuit board (PCB) in both ANC and non-ANC versions, the only difference being a small speaker for the ANC case.

All these factors combine to yield a repairability score of 0 out of 10 for the AirPods 4, signaling that neither consumers nor repair technicians can restore these earbuds to working order without destroying their integrity.

Apple’s Stance on Serviceability

Apple does not provide replacement parts or official repair instructions for AirPods. If an AirPod fails, the only viable option is replacement, perpetuating a culture of disposability regardless of environmental achievements Apple may claim.

Teardown Insights: AirPods Max with USB-C

The USB-C equipped AirPods Max fare slightly better, but not without caveats.

How Repairable Is the AirPods Max?

While still requiring careful heating and precision, teardowns show the device can be opened without total destruction.
The construction closely resembles the Lightning version, with minor changes around the charge port and slightly more glue holding components.
A mini Lightning connector still links the two headphone cups inside the headband.

These factors result in a repairability score of 6 out of 10, a substantial improvement over the AirPods 4, albeit still not ideal for do-it-yourself repairers.

Direct comparisons between AirPods Max and typical over-ear headphones reveal Apple’s device is somewhat more repairable, but still lacks accessible replacement parts and service documentation.

A Table Comparing AirPods Repairability

Model	Repairability Score (0-10)	Key Obstacles to Repair	User Serviceability
AirPods 4 (Standard/ANC)	0	Glue, soldered batteries, destructive teardown, no parts/manual	None
AirPods Max (USB-C)	6	Adhesive, mini Lightning, no replacement parts/manual	Limited

Environmental Impacts and the Disposable Culture

Apple frequently touts its green credentials—reduced packaging, recycled materials, and elimination of extras like vinyl stickers. Yet the AirPods remain notable for their disposable nature, contributing to e-waste when failure occurs.

The sealed design means batteries cannot be replaced, leading to entire units being trashed when power begins to fade.
Failed speakers, microphones, or charging components necessitate complete product replacement.
No official recycling or upcycling programs exist for end-of-life AirPods.

This approach stands in contrast to emerging competitors who offer modular, repairable earbuds with user-replaceable batteries, and replacement parts.

Regulatory Pressure: Change on the Horizon?

The growing volume of e-waste and consumer demand for more sustainable products has led policymakers—especially in the European Union—to take action.

By 2027, new EU battery regulations will require most electronics, including wireless earbuds, to offer user-replaceable batteries and meet additional serviceability standards.
This could mean dramatic design changes for future AirPods, forcing Apple to rethink its sealed, glue-laden architecture for compliance.

Advocates hope this will increase product longevity, lower lifetime ownership costs, and curb environmental damage.

The Wider Context of Repairability

Apple’s AirPods are not unique in their repair challenges. Many modern electronics favor sealed designs to optimize aesthetics, water resistance, and compactness. This trend, however, often leads to sacrifice in sustainability and user autonomy.

Some manufacturers like Fairphone and modular earbuds brands have embraced repairability, providing batteries, drivers, and shells for user replacement.
Products designed for repair foster longer lifespans, less waste, and more consumer control.

The market remains divided, but as regulations tighten and public pressure mounts, the repairability argument is gaining traction.

What Does This Mean for Consumers?

For consumers, Apple’s approach to AirPods repairability brings several practical implications:

Higher long-term costs: Users must fully replace failed units, incurring more expense over time.
Limited troubleshooting: Even with minor faults, DIY repairs are impossible, reducing options for tech-savvy users.
Environmental guilt: E-waste from trashed earbuds and cases grows, undermining corporate sustainability aims.

Expert Voices on Repairability

Repair advocacy groups and teardown analysts have repeatedly voiced concerns:

iFixit’s score of 0/10 for AirPods 4 is backed by detailed teardown footage, showing glue application and soldered-in batteries preventing all user repair.
Discussions in tech forums often highlight frustration, “ten years of AirPods repair school, down the drain!” and skepticism about Apple’s environmental messaging.
Some experts argue that repairability should be a key pillar of electronic product design, especially as global regulations evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can consumers easily repair any part of the AirPods 4 themselves?

A: No. Teardowns reveal destructive opening processes and soldered components, making home repair unfeasible.

Q: What is the main difference between AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC?

A: The ANC model contains a larger internal microphone, but otherwise the repair complexity and obstacles are identical.

Q: How does the AirPods Max with USB-C compare in terms of repairability?

A: AirPods Max with USB-C scores 6/10 on iFixit’s scale, allowing partial disassembly but lacking support for replacement parts or complete repair guides.

Q: Why is repairability important for wireless earbuds?

A: Better repairability means users can extend product lifespans, reduce electronics waste, save money, and have more control over device upkeep.

Q: Are there alternatives to Apple’s AirPods that offer better repair options?

A: Yes. Brands like Fairphone and modular earbud makers offer user-replaceable batteries, accessible replacement parts, and better support documentation.

Q: Will future EU regulations force Apple to produce more repairable AirPods?

A: By 2027, EU battery laws will require user-replaceable batteries, which is likely to influence Apple’s product design substantially.

Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Wireless Earbuds

Apple’s new AirPods 4 and AirPods Max with USB-C provide outstanding audio features but remain deeply controversial for their lack of repairability. As consumers increasingly value sustainability, regulatory changes loom, and alternative designs prove it’s possible, product repairability is rapidly becoming a key differentiator in consumer technology. For now, users are advised to consider not just brand and features, but also the long-term costs and environmental impact locked into Apple’s elegant—but disposable—earbud ecosystem.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb