Apple
Earbuds & wearables · Last assessed Jun 9, 2026
Read the scope and sources before applying this finding.
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The letter is the published assessment. Missing factor evidence is labeled; it does not become a zero.
Why this grade
AirPods (AirPods Pro, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3) all score 0/10 on iFixit: glued/epoxied shut, soldered or glued-in batteries, no components serviceable without destruction, treated as disposable. Apple Watch Series 9/10 score only 3/10 (adhesive-heavy, tight seams). No official replacement parts or repair instructions for either category (Apple Self Service Repair excludes AirPods and Apple Watch). AirPods battery 'service' is effectively whole-unit replacement; firmware pairing and Watch Activation Lock further impede repair.
Sources
Methodology & scope
Five dimensions are scored 0–100 and weighted equally: parts availability, schematic access, repairability, OEM pricing and software freedom. The letter scale is A (90–100), B (80–89), C (70–79), D (60–69), F (below 60).
This assessment was last assessed Jun 9, 2026. Its assessment scope is Earbuds & wearables and is not a claim about every device the maker ships.
The record does not supply a methodology version identifier. Read the published method, limitations and version history ↗
Manufacturer response
No manufacturer response is recorded for this assessment.
What makes up the grade
- Parts Availability
- 8 / 100
- Schematic Access
- 10 / 100
- Repairability
- 12 / 100
- OEM Pricing
- 12 / 100
- Software Freedom
- 22 / 100
Grade history
No grade changes are recorded.
Corrections
Spotted an error, or have evidence we should weigh? Corrections are reviewed on the record.
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