My AirPods Pro have succumbed to the dreaded crackling noise and feedback screech. I spent time yesterday in an online chat with Apple repair assistance. Bottom line is they wanted to charge me $270.38 to send them in for repair. Since when does it cost more for repair than it does for a new AirPods Pro? And I thought Apple recognized this crackling issue as one they fixed for free. Any advice is appreciated.
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Cost for AirPods Pro Repair
- Thread starter smoline
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I wish that were the case. In this instance, the charge was to pay for repairs in advance and refund me whatever the repair technician didn't use. Here's the text from the Apple chat:
Right, so you will get charged for the repair, but not $270, as the poster above said. That's just the amount that that will be put on hold.
Perhaps, but as this is a known issue for which Apple has offered resolution at no charge, why am I paying for repairs in the first place?
I can't answer that question sadly as I am not knowledgeable on the situation. I was replying in reference to the comment about the repair costing more than the AirPods Pro - which it won't, but a very quick google search pulled https://support.apple.com/en-gb/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues this up for me, which hopefully helps you.
I made an appointment at an Apple Genius Bar to have mine checked out back in April. They tested them and replaced both ear pieces. The case checked out ok.
And Apple support offers the following statement:
"Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service the affected AirPods Pro (left, right or both), free of charge"
That's probably the best approach, but the nearest Apple Store is about an hour away.
Well then quote this to them in the e-mail or make a phone call. Come on man seriously...
AirPod Pro repairabiliy? I believe I recall reading that specialist technicians who first put the Airpod Pro to the test for repairability are reported to have almost broken out in sweat. The end result being a shocking 0/10 score, effectively rendering them unrepairable in a practical world.
Indeed they are extremely well designed but although repairability could have been programmed into the design - especially for relative ease of battery replacement, this was clearly not a priority. The silicone earpieces however are a click fit and easily replaced.
That $270 'repair' reply was carefully worded, as clearly there appears to be no cost effective repair for these as far as I can see. If defective and still under warranty they would have been changed for a brand new pair. If outside warranty and defective they are fit for trash - unless you have a friend who is good with soldering equipment and unlimited time to tear-down, procure replacement spare parts and perform a repair for you free of charge.
Just for info I note that Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have a cool 7/10 repairability score. In my book this is the best reason to purchase those over AirPod Pro, with many commenting that fit comfort and sound quality is superior with the Samsung - admittedly highly debatable.
Indeed they are extremely well designed but although repairability could have been programmed into the design - especially for relative ease of battery replacement, this was clearly not a priority. The silicone earpieces however are a click fit and easily replaced.
That $270 'repair' reply was carefully worded, as clearly there appears to be no cost effective repair for these as far as I can see. If defective and still under warranty they would have been changed for a brand new pair. If outside warranty and defective they are fit for trash - unless you have a friend who is good with soldering equipment and unlimited time to tear-down, procure replacement spare parts and perform a repair for you free of charge.
Just for info I note that Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have a cool 7/10 repairability score. In my book this is the best reason to purchase those over AirPod Pro, with many commenting that fit comfort and sound quality is superior with the Samsung - admittedly highly debatable.
Gee, what a great idea. Wish I thought of that. Oh, wait; I DID while I was chatting with Apple.
I apologize; I should have figured that you knew of the CC “hold” policy. That really isn’t right for Apple to want to charge you, at all, to remedy this known issue.
Well you didn’t say that and believe it or not I’m not psychic. If you did quote it to them then what was their response?
They said "please wait while we develop a caustic response to assist you."
This should help him. Mine are getting swapped out because of this program. Just waiting for the email to pick up my new pair.