Will the AirPods Pro 3 be used in the shower? We disentangle the true from the false

Airpods Pro 3, scheduled for September 19will be Apple’s first headphones to resist elements as effectively. IP57 certified, they would be on paper capable of surviving dust infiltration without being completely hermetic, but above all to be immersed in water 1 m deep for 15 min. Until then, all Apple headphones had a simple IP54 certification, protecting them only from splashes. This is also the case with Beats PowerBeats Pro 2the ultimate sports headphones of the Apple subsidiary, that is to say!

This unprecedented capacity for an Apple audio product is involved in a more marked sports orientation than before, carried by the integration of a heart rate sensor allowing to follow its performance in real time.

Bluetooth connection is not altered by partial immersion

Given this novelty in the most popular headphones in the world, several questions emerge. The common one can then, for example, wonder if it will be possible to listen to music with its AirPods Pro 3 in the shower.

Beyond any relationship with IP57 certification, which will allow the headphones to wear with a shower head pouring an abundant flow of water directly above the head within certain limits (we will come back later), the Bluetooth connection could be problematic. Indeed, Bluetooth radio waves at the 2.4 GHz frequency being very attenuated in the water, headphones submerged of a few centimeters will inevitably lose the signal. However, in the shower, where the headphones are only partially immersed, time to rinse the face and hair, the Bluetooth connection will remain stable. Despite everything, the distance between the earphones and the transmitter must not be too important.

The use of AirPods Pro 3 is therefore to be avoided for swimming, because it is impossible to establish stable Bluetooth communication if one of the devices is immersed. On the other hand, this will not be a problem in the shower, at least in terms of connection.

The IP57 standard does not cover hot water or soaps

Nevertheless, the IP57 certification of the AirPods Pro 3, although be rare for this type of product, is not really enough to protect them during use in the shower. Indeed, this standard does not take into account the water temperature. Hot water can then prematurely dilate the different materials and thus create micro-openings, or even cause internal condensation due to thermal shock when it comes into contact with cold headphones. In addition, the IP57 standard also does not cover contact with “chemical” products such as soaps or shampoos. For these simple reasons, we will avoid using them in the shower.

Beyond that, an IP57 certification does not make a device completely insensitive to water. Apple is also very clear on this subject, recalling that the headphones and their box resist “To perspiration and water for sport and non -aquatic activities”. Indeed, like most of their competitors, repeated and prolonged exposure to water will use the joints provided for waterproofing. In addition, water resistance and dust will decrease due to the natural wear and tear of headphones.

Finally, although Apple has not yet included the pro 3 airpods in its Support pagesthere is no reason why they are not subject to the same drying instructions as their IP54 big brothers. In order to maximize their lifespan, we will therefore take care to wipe them with a soft, dry and non -plush cloth, after any exposure to humidity. The apple brand also recommends letting them dry at least 2 hours before using them or placing them in the load box.

The AirPods Pro 3 still remain more suitable for indoor or outdoor sport than their predecessors. Thanks to their IP57 certification, they will be much less sensitive to water (soft, obviously), which is perfect for running in the rain or training outside without worrying too much.

In summary, although the increased resistance of the AirPods Pro 3 is very real, no need to think of being able to use them to sing in the shower, and even less for swimming. For this, we will turn to headphones with bone conduction devoid of Bluetooth connection and with an internal memory, such as the Shokz OpenSwim Pro.

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