Apple released the fifth-generation iPad Air last month, and its main new features include the M1 chip, support for 5G cellular networks, an upgraded Center Stage front camera, and up to 2 times faster USB- C data transfer interface.
According to the latest teardown from repair site iFixit, Apple also gave repairers some handy internal changes. The teardown shows that the iPad Air 5 has a stretchable pull tab at the bottom of the battery for easy battery removal.
In contrast, previous iPad Airs had fully bonded batteries that were very difficult to remove, and repairers often needed to use solvents such as isopropyl alcohol to assist in removal.
Multiple pull tabs on the bottom of the iPad Air 5 battery make battery replacement easier for third-party repair shops and customers trying do-it-yourself repairs. But Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers still replace entire devices when customers need new batteries for all iPad models.
Apple has been adding battery pull tabs to more devices, including the iPad mini 6 and the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. However, iFixit has also previously found that the iPad mini 6 ‘s battery is glued on the top and bottom edges, so while there are pull tabs, it still has to deal with tough glue. It’s not clear if the iPad Air 5’s battery has a similar design.