IFixit: Batteries of wireless Samsung Galaxy Buds are easy to replace

The wireless earphones Galaxy Buds from Samsung are relatively easy to open and repair. For example, users can replace the batteries, so that the devices have a longer life. However, the internal cables can break quickly.

iFixit writes that based on a teardown of the wireless earphones. The housing of the Galaxy Buds remains closed by means of clips. This makes it relatively easy to separate the two halves with a spudger and screwdriver. IFixit does note that the housing can be slightly damaged as a result. There is also little glue inside the ears. Nevertheless, the components that are glued together are difficult to separate from each other because of vulnerable cables that can break quickly. In addition, some cables are soldered to the motherboard, making replacement difficult.

For power, the Buds use button cell batteries that can be bought on the internet. These batteries are relatively easy to reach in the earphones. Replacing broken batteries is therefore a possibility, according to iFixit. The batteries have a capacity of 200mWh. The base station of the earphones is also easy to open. This is closed with clips and screws. The battery is one of 1.03Wh. Although this battery is easy to reach, replacement seems more difficult because it is not just for sale.

The final score of the ears is 6.0. That’s a higher figure than the Apple Airpods, which received a score of zero out of a maximum of ten. This was because of the excessive use of glue, making it impossible to open the case without cutting it with a knife. Because a lot of glue is used, those earphones cannot be recycled, according to iFixit.

According to iFixit, the recyclability of wireless earphones is important because of fire safety. Recycling plants are increasingly experiencing fires due to the failure to discover and dispose of small lithium batteries. Because telephones increasingly no longer have a 3.5 mm port, more wireless earphones will soon be sold, iFixit reasons.