A "loophole" if your AirPods Max are starting to die and don't want to pay $330 for a replacement set
I got my AirPods Max in June 2021. They lasted me almost 2 years, when they suddenly started experiencing issues that seem like they were starting to brick. Them disconnecting at slight head movement was the first issue, which then evolved into them refusing to connect or even go into pairing mode
This wasn't the first issue I had with them, in July 2022, the left earcup began experiencing this wind-like noise. I chatted with Apple Support to see what I could do, with the only option being to pay $330 for a replacement pair, since I was out of warranty and didn't have AppleCare. The problem eventually fixed itself (somehow)
However these new issues were going on for weeks, so I decided to test a theory I had for a while. I chatted with Apple Support about a battery replacement for $79 (not an actual repair) and said the following
- I've had them for 2 years and the battery seems to have degraded (this part is true but I mostly cared about the other problems)
- I tried factory resetting them, fully draining the battery and then charging back up to 100, and waiting for a new firmware update, but the battery life is still worse than when I first got them
- I asked about whether or not Apple would actually open my pair of headphones up and replace the battery or if they'd give me a refurbished pair, saying something about how Apple gives out refurbished/new pairs of the earbud-like AirPods when somebody comes in for a battery replacement instead of actually replacing the battery. They said something about how depending on what repairs need to be made, the technicians will do what's needed (standard Apple Support non answer)
- I did not mention any other problems I was experiencing, I just said I needed to replace the battery
So I set up an appointment at my closest Apple Store, where they shipped them off to a repair center. 5 days later, I received brand new (not really. its refurbished) pair, and they work like they're supposed to + they come with a 90 day warranty on all replaced parts. I imagine if they send you back the same pair you sent in, you can just say "these problems weren't here before I got the battery replaced" if they problems still persist
Your mileage may vary though. I tried researching if other people have received refurbished pairs when getting a battery replacement and have come up inconclusive
TLDR: if your airpods max are dying and you're out of warranty/don't have applecare tell apple you want a battery replacement for $79 and you'll probably get a refurbished pair. dont let them fleece you for $330 for a refurbished pair of already unreliable headphones