AirPods 2 Teardown: H1 Chip With Bluetooth 5.0, Same Batteries, and Water-Repellent Coating on Charging Case Board

[iSayuSay]

I am all for recycling anything possible, but I have never seen any type of ear buds or headphones that are disposable- I use electronics until they quit, or give them to grandchildren when I upgrade, and then dispose of them at sites that accept electronics. I certainly use mine enough that they are worth buying.

Thing with wireless headphones is the battery lifespan mostly determines the life span of the product. The speakers may still working perfectly fine, but when the battery decays, so does the product. That is unnecessary waste when the manufacturers could just provide methods to detach the battery, without damaging the headphone itself. I may keep using the headphone longer, and I am willing to buy the battery replacement pack instead of the whole unit.

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

What manufacturers? Sennheiser Momentums don’t. Sony buds don’t. JBuds Airs don’t. JLabs Elites don’t. You may have found an exception or two, but you shouldn’t set expectations for the norm based on exceptions.

As to those Galaxy Buds, I’d be interested to see what happens if you dropped those big, clip-together golf balls into water. AirPods, otoh, will play under water and after going through the washing machine (and dryer). I’ll take that any day over being able to (potentially ruin my earbuds while trying to) replace the batteries.

What manufacturers? Sennheiser Momentums don’t. Sony buds don’t. JBuds Airs don’t. JLabs Elites don’t. You may have found an exception or two, but you shouldn’t set expectations for the norm based on exceptions.

As to those Galaxy Buds, I’d be interested to see what happens if you dropped those big, clip-together golf balls into water. AirPods, otoh, will play under water and after going through the washing machine (and dryer). I’ll take that any day over being able to (potentially ruin my earbuds while trying to) replace the batteries.

My expectations for any electronic device with rechargeable batteries is that they should be replaceable for a reasonable cost. I am happy to have these expectations so do not tell me otherwise.

I don't think there is much difference in total volume between Airpods and Galaxy buds.

If I am in a situation where I need to change batteries to get a device to work acceptably, the risk of damage during repair would be acceptable. However there are lots of small tech shops who could replace Galaxy Buds successfully.

 

[mikethemartian]

I wonder if anyone has tried to start a cottage industry by taking old AirPods, cut open the casing, replacing the battery and then placing the assembly in a new plastic case.

 

[Khedron]

What manufacturers? Sennheiser Momentums don’t. Sony buds don’t. JBuds Airs don’t. JLabs Elites don’t. You may have found an exception or two, but you shouldn’t set expectations for the norm based on exceptions.

As to those Galaxy Buds, I’d be interested to see what happens if you dropped those big, clip-together golf balls into water. AirPods, otoh, will play under water and after going through the washing machine (and dryer). I’ll take that any day over being able to (potentially ruin my earbuds while trying to) replace the batteries.

AirPods 2 fail the washing machine test
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To everyone demanding replaceable batteries: what is supposed to happen to the old batteries once replaced? If you say they should be recycled--well so should the current AirPods. If the argument is that many don't recycle: would these magical replaceable batteries be the same size as the current batteries? If we assume that the attachment mechanism would need to grow (and, thus, the battery package would increase in size), it seems like the net benefit to the environment would be negligible. Is it that much better if a whale has 10 Samsung coin batteries in its stomach versus 10 AirPods? Seems like a problem either way.

Many places such as supermarkets accept old batteries for proper disposal. What have you been doing with yours?
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I wonder if anyone has tried to start a cottage industry by taking old AirPods, cut open the casing, replacing the battery and then placing the assembly in a new plastic case.

Apple sues anyone in the US who does this. It's legal in other countries but there probably isn't the demand there to support it.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

iFixit should start rating products by the % of materials recycled by companies. If people here complaining about the environment are still unaware of the high recyclable material built into all Apple products perhaps iFixit could build a database on that subject alone.

 

[NickName99]

I saw someone mention in arstechnica that Apple could make the stem threaded, then being a replaceable part. The stem has the battery and the microphone, so it seems like a great idea to me. Apple could sell replacement stems for $19 or $29 or something. The trick would be making sure the stems stayed on really well - Apple could even make it a service option where they swap it out and seal it with thread lock. It would still be a big win over disposability.

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

How can you expect gadgets these days to be easily repairable when we know they have a short shelf life and are increasingly being made to repel water?!!

I think it is better to not confuse "repairing" something and replacing its battery

 

[aylk]

I thought Apple related in the announcement that these new AirPods have an extra hour of battery life? How so with the same sized battery? 5 hours of listening and 3 hours of talk time. Can't wait to see the tests.

It's because now they're using Bluetooth 5.0 that is more energy efficient.

 

[DNichter]

Considering shipping times for AirPods are already at 2-3 weeks, I’d guess that it moves the needle for many.

How many of those are upgrades from the first gen? Considering that's my point, let me know your findings.

 

[BeatCrazy]

How many of those are upgrades from the first gen? Considering that's my point, let me know your findings.

Well 100% of the people that I talked to that ordered 2nd gens were upgrading from 1st gens due to degraded battery. I have yet to talk to (or read about) any first-time owners buying 2nd gen models. Actually there was one guy on 9to5mac.

 

[DNichter]

Well 100% of the people that I talked to that ordered 2nd gens were upgrading from 1st gens due to degraded battery. I have yet to talk to (or read about) any first-time owners buying 2nd gen models. Actually there was one guy on 9to5mac.

Well that's that then, case closed. These new AirPods are a huge upgrade for first gen owners.

 

[Vjosullivan]

What's the difference between an individual AirPod and a cordless drill ...

There’s an easy way to find out, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

[citysnaps]

I backpack a lot, and there are walkers who will endure the greatest level of discomfort just to shave off a few grams from their gear (spending huge sums to get the latest ultralight gear). However, the weight they save is dwarfed by their body weight. They could save more weight in many cases by simply relieving their bladder before they set off. The same is true for the electronic devices we're carrying around.

In terms of size, smaller means less battery endurance and often less mechanical stability. I prefer elegant function, not meaningless style, but that's just me.

No, it's not the same.

 

[VulchR]

No, it's not the same.

You're right - the weight issues for consumer electronics are even smaller than backpacking gear.

 

[citysnaps]

You're right - the weight issues for consumer electronics are even smaller than backpacking gear.

No...they're much more important.

 

[DailySlow]

Pretty sure XS/XR batteries are still replaceable though... using iPhones may be a bad example.

IN general, I'd agree though. iPads, AirPods, Macs are not really repairable.

On Macs, I find it totally unacceptable. No matter the justification (thinness, consolidated repair parts from Apple's perspective, etc etc)

Ipads have been un-repairable since 2010, and most people are fine witohut issues holding onto theirs for a long time because the battery is way bigger, so cycles dont get used up as quickly, and its not like an iPhone where people easily go through 1-2 cycles a day. And sometimes peoples' tablets get a lot of use, and others they just sit there and collect dust.

The problem is GREATLY exacerbated with AirPods, for people who depend on them/take calls on them/ while they have incredibly low capacity to boot.

I had a new battery installed ($99 parts and labor) in San Rafael. I DID have to agree to have a new screen installed if they cracked it. But they didn't. This is an iPad Mini 2 (2014) that still chugs along with latest iOS updates, albeit slowly. Its existance now is mainly for a backup device for my iPhone, iCloud, etc. So reparable yes but not by owner.

 

[JTBing]

That is unnecessary waste when the manufacturers could just provide methods to detach the battery

They could? Please share your design plans for the internal components that accomplish this feat.

Obviously sarcastic, but I'm making an important point. People here are overly fond of making claims about what Apple (and other companies) should be able to accomplish, even though they usually have no idea what they are talking about. These devices are already incredible feats of technology, especially battery technology. No one in the industry has made earbuds of this type with user replaceable batteries. Doesn't that suggest something?
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You're right - the weight issues for consumer electronics are even smaller than backpacking gear.

The weight of things I'm wearing in my ears is pretty important.

 

[MrGuder]

What I like about the charging case is that they charge so quickly. I just wish they came in black and had a non slip coating on the pods.

 

[ironpony]

WD40?

 

[mikethemartian]

Apple sues anyone in the US who does this. It's legal in other countries but there probably isn't the demand there to support it.

They would need to be rebranded

 

[Lennholm]

There is something ironic about these being a status symbol among 'millenials' who prize saving the oceans, cutting waste and cutting CO2 emissions when these are perhaps one of the worst accessories in existence to buy for the environment.

Ive never gotten the impression that Airpods are a status symbol. Apple products are so common now that it doesn't convey any particular kind of status. Also, the majority of people I see with Airpods seem to be in their forties (and they look ridiculous with those glowing white things sticking out of their ears)

iFixIt is just maddening. They apply the same repairability expectations to AirPods as they do to a bloody LEGO set. They seem to be on a crusade to destroy their credibility one “repairability rating” at a time. For the rest of Planet Earth, the inability for these marvels to be repaired isn’t even surprising let alone disappointing, and that fact certainly doesn’t render them “disposable.”

Expectations have nothing to do with it, it's an objective measurement of the effort required to repair the product. A product not designed to be repaired is obviously not going be assessed as easy to repair. It's OK for an Apple product to not be considered magical in every single aspect.
Also, a product designed to be non-serviceable, powered by an internal battery that inevitably deteriorates, is most certainly disposable.

I saw someone mention in arstechnica that Apple could make the stem threaded, then being a replaceable part. The stem has the battery and the microphone, so it seems like a great idea to me. Apple could sell replacement stems for $19 or $29 or something. The trick would be making sure the stems stayed on really well - Apple could even make it a service option where they swap it out and seal it with thread lock. It would still be a big win over disposability.

That would create an unsightly seam between the stem and the main part of the Airpod, and you know how unacceptable that would be for Jony. As always, form over function...

 

[matrix07]

And do you find that acceptable?
However, If you use those phones for 3 to 4 hours a day, the charging cycle should be 5 to 7 days. So the battery should take more than 5 years to lose more than half capacity. So still usable and I assume also works with a cable.
But there is no justification for not making replacement possible.
I believe Senheisser can have batteries replaced without damaging headphones.

Acceptable for the size of QC35? No.
Acceptable for the size of AirPods? Yeah.

Of course it’d be grand if AirPods battery can be replaceable by users but I’m old enough to know every design decision has it’s + and - effects so I’m quite content on the current situation.
The better solution should be reducing the cost of changing battery from $49 to, like, $29. That would be ideal.

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The hard part of getting to the moon isn't the computer.

And a H1 or other chip wouldn't get you to the moon because the computers needed to be radiation hardened not fast.

Yeah whatever way you want to twist it...

 

[truthertech]

Misinform my *ss. How many people own these AirPods, what’s the percentage where they will actually be recycled? If they likely sold 500 million I doubt the number will be higher than 50% if that. For example that means 250 million will be out in the environment. Some will live in a closet or drawer in decades but how many will end up in the trash or end up a sea.

Look at prescription medication. You can recycle these safely and dispose of them but how many pills are still flushed in the toilet and end up at sea.

In Cali it’s easy to recycle products but other parts of the country... much more challenging. What do you do if there are no apple store. How easy can this problem be solved by having a means to change the battery.

The iPhone battery repair program showed there is a need/desire for people to not brainlessly upgrade their phone each year. Why not have that option for AirPods. Samsung buds are able to. Apple in all their wisdom can design and manufacture this practice but they CHOOSE not to. They’d rather have you buy another pair.

That’s why I really roll my eyes when apple touts their “green initiate” because it’s so self serving and mindless drones who eat this up believe it and say, “oh they can recycle them for you at no charge”

LOL. Apple has the industry leading recyclable program. They are not responsible for an irresponsible choice to throw something in the waste steam that is easily recycled

 

[matrix07]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Bose+QuietComfort+35+PARTIAL+Teardown/114932

So your agenda is so strong you don’t even read the article you posted? You gain your wisdom this way? By not reading? lol.

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/490400/Replacing+battery+in+Bose+QC35
https://www.androidcentral.com/battery-replaceable-bose-qc-35-headphones

 

[JosephAW]

They need to make the batteries replaceable by unscrewing the stems.