AirPods Max Dead After 3.5 Years – iStore & Apple Refuse Repair or Support

Bryn said:
Speak for yourself. I love my Apple stuff, except for my old AirPods Max. I hugely prefer the audio quality and comfort of the AirPods Pro 2 - barely touched the Max and eventually sold it.

If Apple ever does justice to the idea of almost-audiophile headphones, I'll be there in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
Smiggles said:
Bollocks my Airpods 2 Pro I've abused I've dropped them on tar road and they still work.
My iPhone has gotten more updates then all my Android phones combined
My Apple TV has gotten more updates then the 0 my Netogy Nova Box got
My secondhand Apple watch still works close to 3 years later
I eat in front of my Magic keyboard and even with the food debris it still works
No driver issues with my Macbook like Windows laptops I've owend in the past
I could go on and on
Click to expand...
rule #3: never listen to Apple fanboys, there's no hope for them anymore
 
Could be much worse actually like normal AirPods.

www.ifixit.com

AirPods Max Teardown

The name “AirPods” can now refer to either tiny little e-waste disasters or cavernous, over-ear Max headphones. With a name like AirPods, we had to...
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com

www.ifixit.com

AirPods Max Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself.

Repair and disassembly information for AirPods Max wireless noise-cancelling headphones.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com

1750363795352.png
 
EnochB said:
Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some visibility and advice on what’s been an incredibly frustrating experience with Apple and iStore South Africa.

I purchased Apple AirPods Max from iStore Menlyn in late 2021. Just over 2 years later, the device has stopped working completely. I took it to the iStore and was told:
  • They cannot repair it;
  • There is no diagnostic process;
  • Because it’s out of warranty, my only option is to buy a new one at full price (over R10,000)
I escalated this to Apple Support. They responded by saying

“We don’t repair AirPods Max. You must either buy a new one or find a third party repair .”

No one at Apple or iStore has explained why such an expensive product:


  1. Can’t be diagnosed;
  2. Should look for a third party;
  3. Lasted only 3.5 years.
I’ve since submitted a complaint to the National Consumer Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, which requires goods to last a “reasonable time” — and 2.5 years for a R10,000 product clearly isn’t.

Has anyone else experienced this?

  • Do other SA consumers have no recourse for failed Apple products out of warranty?
  • Why is there no repair path for high-end Apple gear in SA?







Would love to hear from others, and I hope this post pushes iStore and Apple SA to stop ignoring loyal customers and take responsibility.





Thanks in advance,


Enoch
Click to expand...

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6s. They have better audio quality, longer battery life, best in class ANC (so almost like EFF) and they are easy to replace batteries in (and other components), should they fail as the batteries are screwed in and not glued in. I got my pair from Amazon Japan and they are very good. You can also adjust the sound profile which is something your Apple cans won't allow.

Amazon Japan has them for R8,625.02 including VAT and DHL. The SA launch is in August and they should be retailing in SA for R11,000 or so.
 
Last edited:
Smiggles said:
I mean you got 3 and a half years use out of them?
Click to expand...
That's pathetic for a 10K product. My R400 Sony X-BASS headphones are still going strong 11 years later.
 
Lord Flacko said:
In life you just need insurance for electronics.
Click to expand...

Insurance won't cover usual use failure. It's for accidental damage and theft. Unless you want to file a false claim, which is not Kosher or Halal.
 
FiestaST said:
Did not expect to see "Kosher and/or Halal" referenced in a thread about AirPods.

At least it proves there is a semblance of humour there.
Click to expand...

The Kosher thing is a common expression to define something which is legal and legitimate. Halal is the Muslim equivalent of Kosher. These are common references. Not sure, why you're so surprised here.
 
Mirai said:
Insurance won't cover usual use failure. It's for accidental damage and theft. Unless you want to file a false claim, which is not Kosher or Halal.
Click to expand...

You can actually have insurance that covers exactly this but it’s not default and a specific bolt-on.

I have cover up to I think 10k for any electronic failure.
 
SauRoNZA said:
You can actually have insurance that covers exactly this but it’s not default and a specific bolt-on.

I have cover up to I think 10k for any electronic failure.
Click to expand...

So you have cover that will give you R10K for any piece of equipment which fails, no matter how old?
Interesting.

That can't be cheap though.

And if you claim your premiums won't increase? You won't lose out on a no claims bonus.

I know about policies for accidental damage or theft but failure through age or wear and tear of electronics is new to me.
Such does exist on building insurance, eg leaky pipes, but appliances? Ok.

All electronics will fail one day. It's a given. Capacitors degrade. Components rust. Batteries fail. Current fluctuations burn components out. Moisture gets in. Non volatile memory fails. Then there is rough handling. Maybe improper use, such as not powering down a certain component properly before disconnecting it.

Usually such happens way after such equipment has been made obsolete or has been superseded. In this case, arguable Apple would like the user to buy a newer headphone device. I still have Bose QC 35 II's from 2019 which hold their charge but I had to replace the cushions with Bose OEM parts. But if I had to insure every piece of tech, I'd be paying a lot every month, I suspect. Most stuff just doesn't break if you treat it right or it can be fixed easily or it goes obsolete and you get a new and improved version.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter