The first analysis of Powerbeats Pro confirms that they are just as irreparable as AirPods

The iFixit server got to the new Beats Powerbeats Pro wireless headphones and subjected them to the same test as recently the AirPods 2 and the first generation before them. A look into the guts of Apple's latest headphones suggests that in terms of repairability and eventual recycling, it's still the same misery as in the case of the 1st generation AirPods.

It's clear from the video below that once you put your hands on the Powerbeats Pro, it leaves a lasting impression. To open it, you need to heat the upper part of the chassis and literally cut one piece of plastic molding from another. After this procedure, the internal components will appear, but they are very far from modularity.

The battery, which has a capacity of 200 mAh, is soldered to the motherboard. Its replacement is theoretically possible, but practically not. The motherboard then consists of two pieces of PCB attached to each other, on which all the important components are located, including the H1 chip. The two motherboard elements are connected to a controller controlling a tiny transducer that is similar to the ones in the AirPods, although it plays much better. This entire system is connected by a flex cable that cannot be disconnected and must be broken by force.

The situation in the charging case is no better either. It's practically impossible to get into unless you want to completely destroy it. The internal state of the components suggests that no one expects anyone to try to get in here. The contacts are glued, the battery too.

In terms of repairability, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are just as bad as the AirPods. This may not be a problem for many people. However, what is far more serious is that headphones are not very good at recycling. Apple has had to respond to the same problem in recent months with regard to AirPods, as they are in the same situation with their ecological footprint. Due to the huge worldwide popularity of these headphones, the issue of ecological disposal is easy. This approach is not very compatible with how Apple has been trying to present itself in recent years.

Source: iFixit