A new Apple product is out, and it of course hasn’t taken iFixit long to do its usual teardown – as well as x-rays (above). As you’d expect from the largely unchanged exterior, the iFixit teardown of new AirPods finds very few changes from the first generation, but does see two apparent improvements to the build quality …
iFixit found the dimensions identical to the original, though the new wireless charging case weighs 2.3g more to accommodate the charging coil and circuitry. ‘About the weight of a US penny.’
As before, the company found that getting into them wasn’t easy. In addition to all the usual iFixit tools, the disassembly required work with a vise, razor blade, heatgun, isopropyl alcohol to soften the adhesive, an ultrasonic knife, and a dental pick!
The batteries are the same as last time in both the AirPods themselves and the case.
Differences between gen 1 and 2 AirPods
iFixit did find two interior differences other than the obvious ones of charging circuitry and relocated status light. The first was a new hinge.
The second was what appears to be better waterproofing.
Still disposable
No surprise that the company awards the AirPods the same 0 out of 10 for repairability, saying that the product was toast after the teardown.
On the plus side, iFixit does think the charging case may be less likely to fail.
Check out the full iFixit teardown of new AirPods here.
The construction isn’t entirely unimproved—this set might survive an extra trip through the washing machine.
