New Video Reveals the Incredible Engineering Inside Apple's AirPods Pro [Watch]

A new video takes viewers inside the engineering of Apple's AirPods Pro, using industrial CT scans to reveal their tightly packed components. It shows how Apple's design team managed to squeeze a full audio system into one of the company's smallest and most recognizable products.

The internal view comes from a CT scan of a second-generation AirPod Pro, with volumetric data provided by Lumafield. The video examines the small lithium-ion battery, highlighting its densely packed, rolled-up structure of cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes. It contrasts the uniform manufacturing of a genuine AirPod battery with the loose, inefficient construction found in counterfeit models, which leads to poor battery life and faster degradation.

Another key feature is the Bluetooth antenna. Apple uses a process called Laser Direct Structuring to etch a 3D antenna directly onto a plastic part inside the stem. This clever placement pulls the antenna away from the user's head, helping improve reception, while frequency-hopping keeps connections stable even in the crowded 2.4 GHz band.


The AirPods are equipped with tiny MEMS microphones that handle both calls and noise cancellation. Multiple mics work together for beamforming, focusing on the user's voice while cutting out background sounds. That same system drives Active Noise Cancellation, with one external mic listening to the outside world and another internal mic catching what gets through, so unwanted noise can be canceled in real time. Apple plans to push audio quality even further, with a future software update bringing studio-grade recording and a remote camera shutter feature to the earbuds.

The breakdown also shows that the black meshes on the AirPods aren't just protective covers—they're carefully engineered acoustic vents. These vents manage airflow and pressure to avoid unwanted resonances and help fine-tune the sound to Apple's benchmarks. They're also treated with a hydrophobic coating that keeps out moisture while still letting air and audio pass through.

If you don't have AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4, both models are on sale today:
● AirPods Pro 2: $199 ($50 off)
● AirPods 4 (with ANC): $148.99 ($30.01 off)
● AirPods 4: $99 ($30 off)

You can watch the full breakdown by Real Engineering in the embedded video below...