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AirPods Max: Teardown reveals that Apple's premium headphones is surprisingly repairable

The AirPods Max are repairable by Apple's standards. (Image source: iFixit)
The AirPods Max are repairable by Apple's standards. (Image source: iFixit)
The teardown experts at iFixit have disassembled the AirPods Max, revealing the complexities of Apple's latest headphones in the process. The AirPods Max achieved a repairability score of 6 points, which is much higher than most Apple products, AirPods and AirPods Pro included. The AirPods Max has a more complex construction than the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose NC 700, too.

The AirPods Max is more expensive than almost all of its contemporaries, but iFixit has revealed how much more complex Apple's effort is than the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose NC 700. Additionally, iFixit's teardown reveals the AirPods Max to be rather repairable, for the most part. The AirPods and AirPods Pro, for context, received 0 points from iFixit for repairability, while the AirPods Max earned 6 points.

The headphones have scored this highly because, in part, of its magnetic ear cups that can be replaced in a few seconds. Additionally, Apple has relied on screws inside the headphones instead of glue, making it simple to repair with the correct screwdrivers. The cover under the ear pads is the exception to this, however, as Apple has secured this in place with screws and adhesive. Unsurprisingly, the adhesive makes it tricky to access the inside of the AirPods Max, but there should be few difficulties once you are past this stage. The headband can be replaced easily, for example, if you can find a replacement.

Even the batteries in the AirPods Max are simple to remove, which is rare for an Apple product. Incidentally, iFixit also disassembled the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose NC 700, which the website believes look 'like toys by comparison'. Ultimately, it is good to see that the AirPods Max is more repairable than other AirPods products, even if they are ludicrously expensive.

The AirPods Max in between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose NC 700. (Image source: iFixit)
The AirPods Max in between the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose NC 700. (Image source: iFixit)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 01 > AirPods Max: Teardown reveals that Apple's premium headphones is surprisingly repairable
Alex Alderson, 2021-01-20 (Update: 2021-01-20)