
Apple’s AirPods have become a staple in the smartphone headphone market. The first generation came out in 2016, along with the Apple Watch Series 2 and the iPhone 7 models. Initially ridiculed for their size and shape, the headphones have since become a popular accessory for iPhone users – and not without reason. They offer full sound, automatically connect to your device, and have a stable connection.
Especially when it comes to connectivity, many other wireless headphones have their difficulties. The case included in the charging package also charges your AirPods quickly and reliably – and looks chic to boot. So, everything is good? Not necessarily. Besides the comparatively high price, the small headphones are not easy to repair in case of a defect. We will tell you what options are available.
Regular cleaning and preventing an AirPods defect
The best way to prevent an AirPods defect is to take care of the headphones accordingly. The main way to do this is by cleaning them. In the course of use, your AirPods can become dirty. This is quite normal at first and does not necessarily have anything to do with you being careless with them. However, this can give way drastically obstacles and your AirPods keep cutting out.
Due to environmental factors, dirt in your pants or jacket pocket, and regular wear, your headphones are exposed to contaminants. For this reason, you should clean them regularly to pre-empt an AirPods defect. When it comes to cleaning, a few utensils like those found in every household will help.
First of all, you need a microfiber cloth or an eyeglass cleaning cloth. In addition, a few cotton swabs are advantageous. Furthermore, a brush with soft bristles is recommended. Lastly, it is not wrong to have pure alcohol on hand for cleaning.
To clean your AirPods and prevent an AirPods defect, take the microfiber cloth, moisten it slightly and carefully rub the headphones. You should be able to get rid of grease stains, dust, and minor dirt without any problems. If the AirPods are still dirty, drip a few drops of alcohol on them and gently dab the case with it.
AirPods are not repairable in case of major defects
It seems unsurprising: Apple’s headphones are not repairable in case of a major AirPods defect. Unfortunately, small repairs or a replacement of the hardware, as is possible with the iPhone, cannot be easily accomplished with the corresponding headphones. The main reason for this is that the installed parts are extremely small and difficult to handle.
Above all, the lack of repairability is due to the partly heavily glued components. Your AirPods are not simply pinned or screwed in many places but glued. Due to the size of the individual parts, this is far easier for Apple in production than fixing the hardware otherwise. Unfortunately, once the headphones or charging case have been disassembled, it isn’t easy to reassemble them.
What does this mean for me?
For you, it means that if your AirPods are defective, you will have to send in your headphones and have them repaired at an additional cost. Depending on what model it is, what AirPods defect it is, and whether or not you are an Apple Care customer, the amount will vary on the repair. On Apple’s website, you can get a list of all possible defects and the respective amount estimated for the repair.
For example, the repair for the AirPods Pro charging case costs 29 Euros with Apple Care and 96.50 Euros without Apple Care. If your AirPods have a defect, you will pay $29 for the repair with Apple Care and $70 without. Battery damage is covered free with Apple Care. Otherwise, the repair costs $50.
Your AirPods Pro is defective? What you can do
If you have an AirPods defect on your Pro models, there is good news: You can get the headphones repaired for free. The models produced before October 2020 may have a technical defect from the factory. According to Apple, a small percentage is affected. The defect can occur in different ways and degrees. The most common complaints from Apple users are impairments in the sound due to a hissing or crackling noise. Static sounds were also described by individual Apple users when using the new AirPods Pro. These disturbing noises can occur, especially in loud environments and making phone calls.
The AirPods Pro feature ANC (Active Noise Cancelling), which ensures that ambient noise is filtered out when you listen, allowing you to fully concentrate on listening to music or making a phone call. If your AirPods defect in this area, you should expect suppressed bass tones. Some background noise may also be amplified instead of buried.