The Powerbeats Pro, which come out May 10, was made for working out, which is to say it's sweatproof and perhaps even waterproof, unlike Apple's AirPods. But how waterproof is it?
Both Apple and Beats' websites don't mention an official IP rating. However, Beats has confirmed in a marketing fliers sent out to reviewers that the Powerbeats Pro carry an IPX4 rating. So, what does that mean?
Powerbeats Pro Rated IPX4
A device with an IPX4 rating is officially validated to handle splashes of water, as iMore notes. More specifically:
"Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect." Workout headphones that carry this rating should pretty much handle sweat. While that's true, it might be best to avoid dipping the Powerbeats Pro in water as much as possible, as they have the potential to start malfunctioning when immersed or exposed to jets of water.
Apple is promoting the Powerbeats Pro as being sweat- and water-resistant, which makes them the perfect pair for those who always hit the gym and like to put their workout playlist on blast. In April, Apple said the headphones will be able to handle "all of your sweat without fail," as The Verge reported.
Apple's earlier headphones, including the BeatsX and the Powerbeats 3, don't appear to have official IP ratings, which might mean they weren't subjected to testing. The Powerbeats 3 was marketed as being sweat- and water-resistant, but there have been reports of failures after extended sweat exposure. It remains to be determined whether its successor is prone to the same woes, but it having an official IP rating is at least a bit more reassuring.
Don't Wear Them While Swimming
By contrast, the current iPhones carry an IPX7 rating, which means they can survive total immersion in water. The Powerbeats Pro, on the other hand, should not be submerged in water as they might not be able to properly shield liquids from getting inside the enclosure. So, while they're great musical companions while lifting weights, wearing them while one swims laps is out of the question.
As mentioned, the Powerbeats Pro comes out May 10. Like the second-generation AirPods, it's equipped with Apple's H1 chip, which features improved battery efficiency, reduced latency, and hands-free Siri voice commands. Tech Times has written a guide to help you decide which one to get.
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