One of the reasons I've resisted wireless earbuds is their disposable nature. If you try to open one to change the battery or make repairs, it's likely that it will never stay in one piece again, and the same goes for its case. However, the folks at Fairphone have shown with their new Fairbuds that there is another way to design earbuds. The initial investment is a bit higher than usual, but the simple fact of being able to replace their batteries without major surgery puts them in a different category.
I believe most users maintain a love-hate relationship with their wireless earbuds. On one hand, reducing the number of cables and gaining more freedom of movement always represent a plus, and on the other, we are forced to accept the tyranny of batteries... that's without forgetting the quality quirks that Bluetooth connections bring.
But things can be better, as long as manufacturers show good will. Unfortunately, in most cases it's non-existent, and some names seek to charge a fortune for earbuds with a non-existent repairability profile, which will end up in the trash one way or another. Now, there is an exception: Fairbuds, repairable wireless earbuds.
Fairbuds: Repairable Earbuds
The official specifications tell us about Bluetooth 5.3 support, a range of ten meters, a USB-C port on the case, multipoint connectivity to maintain links with two devices at the same time, a total of six microphones (three on each earbud), 45 mAh batteries that guarantee between 5 and 6 hours of playback (this depends on noise cancellation), and an additional 500 mAh battery in the case. Fairphone also indicates IP54 protection, and a two-year warranty that can be extended to three (you have to register the product).
The user of the Fairbuds will be able to extract about 500 cycles from their batteries, but once they give up, it's enough to order new batteries from Fairphone and spend a few minutes on their installation. This is without a heat gun, without glue, or metal tools that end up destroying the plastic. In fact, it's expected that Fairphone will sell the cases and earbuds independently, so you don't have to replace the entire kit.
The official Fairphone page informs that the Fairbuds cost 149 euros (+3.95 for shipping), and initially they will be available in European territory.
Official site: Click here
