iFixit AirPods Teardown Reveals Some Quality Issues [Photos]

iFixit has posted its teardown of Apple's new AirPods finding some quality issues that may explain why the wireless earbuds were delayed.

Apple EarPods were standard issue with iPhones released before the iPhone 7. So what happens when Apple releases a phone with no headphone jack? They release wireless headphones. Are the new Apple AirPods worth the wait? Only one way to find out.




Highlights:
● Each AirPod weighs 0.14 oz (4 g), while the charging case weighs 1.34 oz (38 g)
● Each AirPod measures in at 0.65" × 0.71" × 1.59" (16.5 mm × 18.0 mm × 40.5 mm) while the charging case measures in at 1.74" × 0.84" × 2.11" (44.3 mm × 21.3 mm × 53.5 mm)
● The charge case cover sports a new model number—A1602—and offers up some info on the case's overall power capacity: 398 mAh.
● The 'Pods are individually labeled with separate model numbers—A1722 (left) and A1523 (right)—and FCC IDs, BCG-A1722 and BCG-1523.
● If jamming complex components into a small form factor and sealing it with a copious amount of glue were a game, Apple would be winning.
● That shiny metal cap provides contact points for charging the AirPod, and surrounds the primary microphone. Hidden behind and within the torrent of glue, we spy the end of the battery cable.
● That hanging boom is for more than just balance—it's also to improve reception.
● Looks like this is a 93 milliwatt hour battery—equivalent to a little over 1% of the charge capacity in an iPhone 7.



Most notable, is what iFixit discovered while X-raying the charging case's silicon.

Our X-ray imagery shows some quality issues in this chip's solder joints. Empty spaces, known as voiding, could be evidence of low quality standards, or a rushed product release. Could issues with the AirPod case be what delayed release?




The AirPods get a 0/10 repairability score from iFixit. Take a look at a few photos below and hit the link for the full teardown.

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