iFixit Publishes 2024 AirPods 4, AirPods Max Teardown [VIDEO]

iFixit has released a new video dissecting Apple’s latest wireless earbuds, the AirPods 4, revealing the company’s continued approach of prioritizing compact design over repairability.

The AirPods 4, Apple’s latest iteration of its wireless earbuds, look very similar to their predecessor, the AirPods 3. Upon completing the teardown, iFixit reported that the internal layout of the AirPods 4 remains largely unchanged from the previous model.

As with previous AirPods models, iFixit made it clear that Apple’s earbuds are notoriously difficult to repair. The AirPods 4 earned a 0/10 score on iFixit’s repairability scale, the lowest possible rating. The earbuds are virtually impossible to take apart without causing permanent damage to the device, making DIY repairs a nightmare.

Fixit also inspected the AirPods 4 charging case. They discovered that it houses a 345 mAh battery, the same capacity as the one found in the AirPods 3 charging case.

In addition to the AirPods 4, iFixit also shared a teardown of the updated AirPods Max, Apple’s high-end over-ear headphones. The primary difference between the latest version and the original AirPods Max is the introduction of a USB-C charging port, replacing the previous Lightning port.

Beyond the switch to USB-C, iFixit found no substantial internal changes in the AirPods Max. The design, components, and overall construction remained nearly identical to the original model.

Check out iFixit’s 2024 AirPods teardown video below to find out more.