Apple has once again reignited the debate around design, sustainability, and repairability with the release of its AirPods Pro 3. While the earbuds introduce new features such as IP57 water resistance, foam-infused ear tips for improved noise isolation, and even a heart rate sensor, the core issue remains unchanged: these earbuds are practically disposable. 
iFixit’s latest teardown confirmed what many critics suspected – the internal batteries are glued down and locked beneath layers of adhesive and plastic, earning the device a repairability score of zero out of ten.
The teardown reveals that each earbud hides its lithium-ion battery deep inside a sealed plastic chamber. To even attempt a replacement, one would need specialized heat tools and the steady hand of a surgeon. The odds of damaging the fragile housing during the process are high, and resealing the unit afterwards is nearly impossible. The stem, which houses Apple’s H2 chip and microphone array, is similarly smothered in glue, creating yet another barrier to repair. The charging case doesn’t fare any better – although Apple swapped the previous dual-cell setup for a single larger battery, the design still locks it in place with adhesive.
This approach contrasts sharply with companies such as Fairphone, which have shown it is possible to create consumer electronics that are sleek, functional, and still user-repairable. Fairphone’s earbuds feature easily replaceable batteries, extending the lifespan of the device and reducing electronic waste. Apple, however, continues to prioritize seamless design and durability over repairability. The company justifies its design choices with arguments about water resistance, compactness, and user convenience, but the trade-off is millions of units being discarded every few years as batteries inevitably degrade.
Beyond environmental concerns, the decision also speaks to Apple’s business model. The AirPods Pro 3 may deliver best-in-class Active Noise Cancellation, polished integration with iOS, and new health-tracking sensors, but the lack of serviceability effectively forces customers into a replacement cycle. Consumers are expected to buy new hardware every few years rather than extending the lifespan of what they already own. For a premium product, this raises questions of value and sustainability. The glued batteries are not only an engineering compromise but a deliberate choice that benefits the company’s bottom line more than the consumer or the planet.
While some fans shrug this off – arguing that all lithium-ion batteries eventually fail, or that it is simply easier to upgrade when new models arrive – the environmental impact is difficult to ignore. Millions of tiny batteries ending up in landfills contribute to the depletion of rare earth materials and create long-term ecological risks. iFixit’s teardown serves as yet another reminder that sleek design without accountability comes at a cost. Until Apple rethinks its approach, the AirPods Pro line will remain, quite literally, disposable luxury.