What to do with your old AirPods: recycle, replace or sell
After a few years, the time has finally come, because your favorite earplugs actually need to be replaced. But what to do with your old AirPods: are you going to replace, sell or recycle them? We’ll show you the best solution for your old earplugs (and for your wallet)!
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Old AirPods: Recycle, Replace or Sell?
The first Apple AirPods appeared in 2016 and we have now seen a number of different generations of the earbuds. For many of the older earplugs, age is now starting to play a role. The battery does not last that long or they have suffered (quite a bit) damage here and there.
The obvious solution is to buy a new set, but there are plenty of other options that we’ll show you here. And if you do switch to the AirPods 3, for example, we’ll show you what you can do best with your old set.
1. Selling old AirPods: this is how you do it
Do your old AirPods still work fine, then it’s smart to sell them. This can be done, for example, at second-hand (refurbished) stores or on Marktplaats. Marktplaats is by far the most popular option in the Netherlands, given the name recognition and the large number of daily visitors. The website 2dehands is a similar website for Belgium. You will find all kinds of new and used Apple products there, so you can also sell your old AirPods here.
Marketplace: selling your used AirPods
Before selling on Marktplaats (or 2nd hand) you have to keep a few things in mind. Provide clear photos of the AirPods and all associated accessories. Make a clear description and determine a realistic price. Check the other AirPods ads for this and also check online what is being asked.
Once you have found a buyer who is willing to pay the right price, make an appointment and make sure you are not alone at home. Not everyone on Marktplaats has the same good intentions. Agree the price clearly in advance, so that you do not have to negotiate during the purchase.
It is often also smart to have the payment run via the messages of the site, and that is done on Marktplaats simply with iDEAL. Always check how many years someone has been a member on the site and his or her reviews.
2. Repair and replace battery of old AirPods
Are your AirPods no longer working or is the battery empty very quickly? Then you have the option to have them repaired. Even if you have already bought new AirPods, it is sometimes wise to have your old one repaired. In that case, they will yield considerably more in the event of a sale.
To replace your AirPods (per earpiece) you pay a fixed price outside the warranty. Also useful to know: do you have AppleCare+? Then you always pay 29 euros per incident. See below the overview with the prices for replacing an earplug.
- AirPods Pro: 99 euros each
- AirPods Pro charging case: 99 euros each
- AirPods (all models): 75 euros each
- AirPods charging case: 65 euros
- AirPods wireless charging case: 75 euros
- AirPods MagSafe charging case: 75 euros
There is also a price tag for replacing the battery of the AirPods. Below you will find the prices that Apple asks for replacement.
- AirPods Max: 85 euros.
- AirPods / AirPods Pro: 54.99 euros each
- Charging case and wireless charging case (all models): 54.99 euros each
Replace the battery of old AirPods yourself
It is virtually impossible to replace the battery of your old AirPods (Pro) yourself. So don’t start with it. The website iFixit (where you’ll find repair guides) makes replacing the battery of the AirPods yourself the highest difficulty. By the way, replacing the battery in the charging case is also quite difficult.
Also interesting: Fix your iPhone yourself? Apple helps with ‘Self Service repairs’
3. Broken old AirPods: have them recycled
Apple has no trade-in options for Airpods, other than that they recycle the earbuds for you for free. All you have to do is send in the old AirPods and Apple will do the rest. You can find all Apple Stores in your area via the Apple website. But you can also use local authorities such as WeCycle for this. Also in many supermarkets you will find their recycle bins for depositing small electronic devices.
Free replacement under warranty or AppleCare+
Always check whether your old AirPods are still under warranty. Apple gives you one year of coverage from the date of purchase against manufacturing defects for your AirPods and the Apple accessories that come with them. With the AppleCare Protection Plan or AppleCare+, that becomes two years.
By the way, do not forget that under Dutch consumer law you are also entitled to free repair or replacement, discount or refund by the seller if goods show a defect or do not comply with the purchase agreement.
This is a gray area, because this has to do with the expected life of an item (in this case the AirPods). For more information on replacement and warranty, check out Apple’s AirPod replacement, service, and repair website.
Useful tips for your AirPods
Having trouble pairing your AirPods with your other Apple devices? No problem, with this step-by-step plan to connect your AirPods you will certainly succeed. Even if you lose your AirPods for the umpteenth time, we have the solution for you with the find my AirPods function.
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