Apple EarPods Teardown

– Ready to level up your listening experience? Check out these cool features on Apple’s latest headphones:

– A reimagined case designed for a snug fit and better sound.

– Exterior vents that boost your bass.

– Built-in mic and volume controls for easy access.

– Special speaker diaphragms that keep your tunes crisp and loud.

– Comes standard with the iPhone 5, iPod Touch 5th Gen, and iPod Nano 7th Gen.

– Just so you know, the model number for those EarPods is MD827LL/A.

– Apple is saying that these new EarPods deliver sound quality similar to headphones that usually cost a small fortune, but guess what? You can snag them for just $29 (plus tax, if applicable).

– Feel free to call us skeptics, but we’re a bit puzzled about how that magic happens with just a single-driver setup.

– First up, let’s check out the totally new EarPods shape. Apple finally ditched the old round style—turns out, one-size-fits-all never actually fits anyone.

– Next, you’ll notice the main speaker port now faces forward instead of blasting sound straight into your ear canal. You get more sound, less tunnel.

– Pop these in and, honestly, it’s hard for anyone nearby to spot the difference from your classic Apple buds. Stealthy!

– Is it better to have sound coming at you from an angle instead of a direct hit to the eardrum? That’s Apple’s call, and their sound experts seem pretty convinced.

– If someone can tell you’re rocking the new EarPods, they’re either eagle-eyed or just way too close for comfort.

– Apple’s new EarPods are built with durability in mind! Check out the updated remote design (left) featuring beefier cable wrapping near the remote compared to the older earbuds (right) to help alleviate strain on those wires.

– If you’re rocking your EarPods with an iPhone or iPod, you probably toss them in your pocket or backpack a lot, which can really stress those connections.

– To help the new EarPods stand strong against water and sweat damage, Apple’s designers decided to ditch the external microphone grate.

– Alright, it’s time to get into the good stuff and take these little guys apart; after all, that’s the goal here!

– We like to use guitar picks to gently open up a pair of EarPods, instead of using them on a guitar (though that might sound cool through the EarPods).

– The bottom side of the remote cover shows off three buttons and a mic — no surprises there, since the remote’s got three buttons. With a bit of gentle prying, we can carefully remove the flexible PCB inside the EarPods’ remote. The tiny microphone on the remote is marked 2F17 045 — easy to spot. We also find another chip labeled TI25ASGVI 079, which looks like a Texas Instruments ADC or a component for volume control, according to Chipworks. Will this microphone be similar to the trio inside the iPhone 5? Most likely. Same? We’ll find out in a few days. Despite how big these parts look in photos, they’re actually pretty small — here’s how the board compares to a U.S. dime. Remember, take your time and handle everything gently. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

– Here’s a quick peek at the insides of the old remote: two turntables, three buttons, and a microphone. Keep in mind, the control board in the old earphones isn’t as sealed or secured as the new EarPods, so they’re more prone to sweat-related issues—common for gym goers. The microphone reads: S262 9164. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

– These EarPods are clamped together tighter than a secret. Pulling them apart? Not happening. Time to get creative.

– We don’t usually slice into earbuds, but for tricky jobs like this, nothing beats a trusty X-Acto #11 blade.

– While having a fresh remote is handy, the real star of the show in the EarPods is actually in the speakers themselves. Like most speaker systems, they pack a diaphragm or cone, a voice coil, a permanent magnet, and a casing. The voice coil gets supported by a composite diaphragm made from a paper cone with a polymer surround — a first for Apple headphones, moving away from all-plastic designs. The standout feature everyone talks about is the unique teardrop shape of the case, giving the EarPods their distinctive look. Once you open them up, though, things start to look pretty familiar, similar to other earbuds out there. Apple put a lot of effort into studying the shape of ears, so hopefully, their external design results in better sound quality. If you need a hand with repairs, you can always schedule a repair.

– For those who appreciate great sound, here are the front and back views (top and bottom, respectively) of the separated drivers.

– Apple’s shift to paper-based speaker cones might just be behind the improved low and mid-range sound they’ve been talking about.

– We also noticed that the speaker basket looks a lot more polished compared to earlier models (check the comparison in the next step). It’s got a neat mesh covering the back and symmetrically placed vents.

– The basket plays a key role, as it needs to be sturdy enough to keep the sound consistent while still being open enough to let air move freely behind the vibrating diaphragm.

– Not all earbuds are created equal! Different versions of Apple earbuds come with some significant changes in how they’re built and how they make sound.

– Let’s break it down:

– The biggest differences you’ll notice in the EarPods are what you’d expect—a totally revamped housing and a fresh new material for the speaker cone.

– Previous-generation iPhone earbuds

– First-generation iPod earbuds

– New-generation Apple EarPods

– When it comes to durability and repairability, we believe in making a difference to reduce electronic waste.

– The new Apple EarPods have definitely stepped up their durability game:

– However, these products still lean towards being disposable. Parts are nearly impossible to find, and convincing someone to take apart their earbuds instead of just grabbing a new pair is a tough sell. Once taken apart, they won’t quite be the same.

– The new remote is more resistant to water damage thanks to a better seal, and the strain relief wrapping helps extend the life of the cable.

– Paper speaker cones are tougher than plastic ones, making them less likely to tear and blow out your drivers.