It is possible to remove the AirPods Max headband with just a standard SIM card eject tool, which hints at the possibility of swapping tapes to get a different color.
In December, MacRumors revealed the wide variety of color combinations of the AirPods Max ear cushion when it became apparent that they were magnetically coupled and were available for sale separately. Now it seems that irAirPods Max has a more modular design than previously understood, as proposed MacRumors member of the “MayaTlab” forum, which highlighted the moment of the Chinese YouTube channel Prelook.
As mentioned in the breakdown of AirPods Max for iFixit, it is possible to easily remove the “AirPods Max” headband without disassembling the headphones. Users simply remove the ear pads from their ears, fold the headphones flat, and insert a SIM card eject tool into a small hole in the speaker.
Here’s the trick and the best part: Despite the complexity of the joint, you can separate the entire headband of irAirPods Max with just a SIM card removal tool or clip, without even opening the headset .
When fully assembled, a few strokes in the correct place compresses two small springs inside the joint, releasing the clamp that secures the headband.
Once removed, the spokes on either side of the headband reveal a small connector to transfer power and potentially data between the headphones. It is also interesting that the connector bears a striking resemblance to the Lightning connector. It seems likely that users will be able to change the headbands of different AirPods Max units to achieve much easier color schemes than expected.
Replaceable headbands were one of the features that were believed to be removed from AirPods Max prior to launch. Before it was announced, it was speculated that irAirPods Max would offer a unique customization with interchangeable tapes and caps, repeating the concept behind the Apple Watch bands.
Apple’s vice president of industrial design, Evans Hankey, said Apple prototyped hundreds of AirPods Max designs over a long period of development. In the midst of significant delays, Bloomberg correctly predicted that Apple would abandon the concept of a replaceable tape to speed up production:
Apple has also reduced some of the interchangeable features of the headphones, which were a hallmark of the initial concept. The latest version of the product is unlikely to have any replaceable headbands, but it could still include interchangeable pads.
Therefore, it is possible that this system for removing the tiara is a remnant of the original more modular approach of irAirPods Max. On the other hand, this hidden feature may exist solely to promote repairability and could not be designed for general user interaction.
However, it is extremely unusual for headphones to transfer power to the headband to make the piece easily removable. The ease of removing the headband and small connector on either side seems like a peculiarly well-developed concept and contrasts greatly with the repairability of the device, which would be another difficult thing.
Users who want to try to remove the irAirPods Max headband should follow with great caution, as it is not yet clear whether this action voids the product warranty.