iFixit spotlights Fairbuds XL Gen 2 in teardown, Fairphone reveals driver upgrade and parts pricing
A few days ago, Fairphone released an updated version of the Fairbuds XL offering superior audio quality, a new fabric cover, and an auto power-off feature after 30 minutes of inactivity. The company aims to stand out from the competition by making the headphones exceptionally easy to repair. Owners of the original model can even upgrade their existing headphones with the new drivers to get improved audio performance at a lower cost.
In the meantime, many replacement parts have appeared on Fairphone’s online shop. For example, a pair of new drivers for both Fairbuds XL models are priced at €101.90 / £88.90, with the right driver costing slightly more because it houses some of the electronics. Other components listed include a replacement battery (€19.95 / £17.95), ear cushions (€14.95 / £12.95), as well as the new headband, cable and fabric headband cover, with prices ranging from €15 / £13 to €20 / £18.
Teardown shows battery replacement and driver upgrade
iFixit has published a teardown video showcasing how straightforward the new Fairbuds XL are to repair. The battery and ear cushions can be swapped in just a few steps without any tools, whilst detaching the earcups from the headband only involves removing two screws and disconnecting a cable.
On the updated model, the fabric headband is secured with screws and clips instead of magnets. This design makes swapping the headband slightly more time-consuming but ensures the fabric stays more firmly in place. Repairing tiny components on the motherboard, such as the USB-C port, isn’t a particularly simple task. Rather than expecting consumers to fix these parts themselves, Fairphone focuses on making full module replacements a more palatable option. Overall, the Fairbuds XL are still far easier to fix than most other headphones
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