iFixit Teardown Shows AirPods Pro 3 Still Impossible to Repair

Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 just went under the knife at iFixit, and the results tell a story that’s become all too familiar: these are still some of the most unrepairable gadgets you can buy. The teardown shows off some cool upgrades, including foam-infused tips and new health sensors, but also confirms that Apple hasn’t changed its approach to repairability.

iFixit Gives AirPods Pro 3 a Brutal 0/10 Repairability Score

Just like every version before them, the AirPods Pro 3 received a brutal 0 out of 10 score from iFixit. The reason? Batteries and other critical parts are glued shut, making replacements nearly impossible. Even with professional tools, technicians end up cracking the plastic shells, tearing cables, or outright destroying components. That means once the batteries wear out, which usually happens in about two to three years, the earbuds are destined for the recycling bin.

The charging case doesn’t fare any better. A CT scan shows that the twin-cell battery setup from earlier models has been replaced with a single 1.334Wh battery, but it’s still glued in place. The case now offers 24 hours of charge, slightly less than the 30 hours provided by the previous Pro 2 case.

Teardown Reveals New Battery Setup, Magnet Changes, and Foam Tips

While repairability remains stuck in the past, Apple did make some hardware changes. Each earbud now houses a 0.221Wh lithium cell, still glued in but slightly easier to remove compared to earlier designs. Apple also reworked the magnets inside the charging case, cutting down the number of rare earth magnets but keeping full Qi2 and MagSafe compatibility.

The most eye-catching change is the new foam-infused silicone ear tips. Under a microscope, the tips reveal a bubbly foam core wrapped in silicone. According to Apple, this design provides a tighter seal and better noise isolation compared to standard silicone tips.

AirPods Pro 3 Gain IP57 Rating and New Health Sensor

Beyond what’s visible inside, the AirPods Pro 3 come with some noteworthy improvements. They now carry an IP57 water and dust resistance rating, a big jump from the older IP54 standard. Apple also added a new infrared sensor that can detect blood flow and measure heart rate directly from your ear, further expanding the health-tracking role of its wearables.

Of course, the buds still rely on Apple’s H2 chip to power Active Noise Cancellation and other advanced audio features, continuing the line’s reputation for impressive sound.

iFixit Calls Out Apple for Wasteful Design Approach

For iFixit, the AirPods Pro 3 teardown highlights the same old frustration: Apple makes some of the best-sounding earbuds with cutting-edge features, but they’re designed in a way that all but guarantees they’ll end up as e-waste once the batteries fail. The company has led the market in this direction, and many competitors have followed, though brands like Fairphone have proven that truly repairable earbuds can exist.

In the end, AirPods Pro 3 may sound better, fit tighter, and last longer in the rain, but they’re still locked into Apple’s closed approach. For buyers, that means enjoying all the new perks, while knowing repair is off the table.