Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We're on the third set of Apple teardowns at iFixit HQ and this time we have the Airpods 4-both ANC and non-ANC versions-and the USB-C AirPods Max on our teardown table.
Airpods have historically been a nightmare to take apart, consistently earning 0 out of 10 on our repairability scale, but their bigger and more expensive sibling the Airpods Max are bordering on repairable with the first version earning a 6 our of 10, thanks to a relatively easy disassembly process.
How much has changed since the last time we've seen Airpods on our teardown table? Let's crack right in and take a look!
Grab a FixHub Power Series Soldering Toolkit!
ifixit.com/products/fixhub-soldering-toolkit?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Our Pro Tech Toolkit is super useful during repairs and Teardowns!
ifixit.com/products/pro-tech-toolkit?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Stay organized during your repairs with our FixMat!
ifixit.com/products/fixmat?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Buy parts for your AirPods Max!
ifixit.com/products/airpods-max-headphone-earpad-cushions?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
This teardown is not a repair guide. To repair your AirPods, use the service manual at iFixit.com.
Chapters
00:31 CT scans of AirPods 4
00:55 Tearing down the AirPods 4 buds
02:05 Glue, glue, and more glue
03:24 Removing the SIP from the stem
04:03 Desoldering the battery
04:42 AirPods 4 vs AirPods 4 ANC: What's the difference?
05:12 Tearing down the AirPods 4 case
06:35 AirPods 4 case battery removal
07:34 AirPods Pro Max: USB-C vs Lightning
09:13 Repairability assessment & score
Subscribe to our channel for all our latest teardown and repair videos!
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ifixityourself
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ifixit
Check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/iFixit
Get $10 off your first purchase: ifixit.ac-page.com/10-off-landing-page-youtube
We're on the third set of Apple teardowns at iFixit HQ and this time we have the Airpods 4-both ANC and non-ANC versions-and the USB-C AirPods Max on our teardown table.
Airpods have historically been a nightmare to take apart, consistently earning 0 out of 10 on our repairability scale, but their bigger and more expensive sibling the Airpods Max are bordering on repairable with the first version earning a 6 our of 10, thanks to a relatively easy disassembly process.
How much has changed since the last time we've seen Airpods on our teardown table? Let's crack right in and take a look!
Grab a FixHub Power Series Soldering Toolkit!
ifixit.com/products/fixhub-soldering-toolkit?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Our Pro Tech Toolkit is super useful during repairs and Teardowns!
ifixit.com/products/pro-tech-toolkit?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Stay organized during your repairs with our FixMat!
ifixit.com/products/fixmat?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
Buy parts for your AirPods Max!
ifixit.com/products/airpods-max-headphone-earpad-cushions?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=ifixitchannel&utm_campaign=AirPods4AirPodsMaxTeardown&utm_content=Description
This teardown is not a repair guide. To repair your AirPods, use the service manual at iFixit.com.
Chapters
00:31 CT scans of AirPods 4
00:55 Tearing down the AirPods 4 buds
02:05 Glue, glue, and more glue
03:24 Removing the SIP from the stem
04:03 Desoldering the battery
04:42 AirPods 4 vs AirPods 4 ANC: What's the difference?
05:12 Tearing down the AirPods 4 case
06:35 AirPods 4 case battery removal
07:34 AirPods Pro Max: USB-C vs Lightning
09:13 Repairability assessment & score
Subscribe to our channel for all our latest teardown and repair videos!
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ifixityourself
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ifixit
Check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/iFixit
Get $10 off your first purchase: ifixit.ac-page.com/10-off-landing-page-youtube
