Since being launched in 2016, the Apple Air Pods have probably become the first image that pops into people’s heads when they think of wireless earbuds.
Apple has always been known for excellent hardware, even amongst users who don’t use their software. The design of the Air Pods is elegant and lightweight, easy to wear for hours, and features a secure fit for people on the move.
Furthermore, there is excellent functionality and superb audio quality. It was not long after their release that they became the most popular wireless earbuds out there.
But, Can Apple Air Pods Break If Dropped?
Some users are still curious as to the answer to one very important question. How durable are Apple Air Pods? And would they be susceptible to breaking if they fell?
Since the Air Pods come at quite a premium price, this question is understandably important to users. Because long-term value is something Apple hardware has a reputation for, wireless earbuds have come with many advantages since the technology has become commercial.
These same advantages…
…and appealing factors have caused other concerns that didn’t use to factor into design decisions. For example, earbuds no longer have a chord to save them from impact with hard surfaces, in the likely event of drops or dislodges.
So, wireless earbuds had to be redesigned from the ground up to accommodate this new, more likely scenario. If you own any pair from the Air range and have asked yourself this question, let this article be a helping hand.
Air Pods Durability
While it must be said, there is a myriad of very complicated and small design elements involved in making wireless earbuds more robust. Many of them are too complicated to explain in a short article. Therefore, I must stick to the two most obvious and easiest to understand to the average user.
1 – Weight
Much like engineers creating high-performance speed machines, designers of modern electronics need to cut weight where they can and add it where it’s needed. Especially with wearable designer devices like watches and earbuds.
The weight on the Apple Air Pods has been reduced as much as possible to increase comfort and help with durability. “Wait a minute?” you might think. “Something with weight ought to be tougher and more resistant to damage from impacts, right?”
Well, not if you agree with Newton. The less weight involved in a collision, ultimately, the less exchange of force takes place, and the less damage is likely to result.
Airbags in your ears…
The best metaphor for this would be the phenomenon of ants not getting killed when falling from heights. They weigh almost less than air at certain times during their descent.
Air Pods may very well be so named since air is a large part of what they contain. This means they exert less force when colliding with any object from falling because they are likely to decrease their speed as they fall.
This is all very clever stuff that guys with whiteboards and markers could thoroughly explain. But what it means in layman’s terms is that the Air Pods sustain significantly less damage. Therefore, they are much more durable overall thanks to their light weight.
Plastic Coating
The durable plastic coating referred to here includes the outer shell of the plastic, which users see when they hold the earbuds. However, it is important to understand that it extends deeper than that.
The plastic uses a very specific chemical recipe. It produces a plastic that is easy to mold when liquid but hardens to become very lightweight and durable at the same time.
The shape of Air Pods…
As well as the thickness of the plastic in certain areas, the shape of Air Pods is specifically determined to offer maximum protection. And still, save weight where possible.
Important components, which are most susceptible to damage from any kind of fall, are enclosed by much thicker layers of plastic. Whereas other areas with fewer components (the stems) have a thin layer and are mostly hollow.
2 – Height
There is another aspect that comes into play when determining can Apple Air Pods break if dropped. The height from which they are dropped. There are no official numbers on this from Apple.
However, there is a consensus that around 9 times out of 10, Air Pods will survive a drop from waist height (around 3 ft).
Of course, should the height from which the Air Pods are dropped increase, so will the odds of damage. Furthermore, the surface upon which impact occurs will dramatically affect the chances of substantial damage.
What About Air Pods in Water?
Water or moisture is a concern to most users. Rain, snow, and sweat can occur in most places in the world. The probability of getting Air Pods wet or dropping them in water depends primarily on your lifestyle and location.
The ability of devices to handle and or resist water damage is usually determined by an IPX rating. Depending on what type of Air series product you have, this rating may vary.
For instance, the Air Pods have no IPX rating whatsoever. However, the Air Pods Pro is rated at IPX4, which means a small amount of water and sweat should be no problem.
How wet they get…
Should the earbuds be dropped in a shallow puddle but not fully submerged, they ought to be fine 9 times out of 10. Full submersion is a different scenario altogether. But even there, Apple has thought of a solution.
A small protective screen is placed on the inside of the grill on the Air Pods. This may not stop water from coming in indefinitely. But will keep it at bay long enough for the pods to be savable should they be submerged for a few seconds.
What Should You Do?
If you take them out of the water as quickly as possible and get them dry, the major components should be undamaged. However, just to be safe, you can place them in a sealed bag with some silica pouches. Anything that will absorb moisture is what you’re aiming for.
Some folks say rice works quite well, but a lot of people don’t agree. Be careful of trying to use a hairdryer, though, because the heat could cause permanent damage to small thermal sensitive components.
The Air Pods Case
One of the coolest things about the Air Pods is that they come with a handy and elegant case to carry the earbuds in. This not only serves as a charger to lengthen playtime but is there for protection. But how much protection do Air Pods have from the case?
Some users have reported that after going through a washing machine in the case, the Air pods were fine with only a small decrease in sound quality. This is quite remarkable and is yet another testament to building quality and design.
Dropping the case itself…
Whether it be on its own or containing the buds, there’s good news there too. The lightweight plastic and “airy” design is kept throughout the case itself as well. So, the same rules for falls can be applied to the case.
First is the secure locking mechanism on the case. This will prevent the lid from opening and the pods themselves falling out.
Second, the plastic is lightweight and durable. So, the case will remain intact should it be subjected to the same kind of drops as discussed in the section on the earbuds themselves.
Interested in Air Pods or Other Great Earbuds?
We have you covered. Check out our in-depth reviews of the Best AirPods Alternative, the Best Apple AirPods Pro Alternatives, the Best iPhone Earbuds, the Best Earbuds for Running, the Best Wireless Earbuds For Small Ears, and the Most Durable Earbuds you can buy in 2024.
And don’t miss our handy articles on How to clean your AirPods Pro, Simple Tips to Keep Airpods From Falling Out, Do AirPods Work Well on Android Devices, Apple AirPods vs Powerbeats Pro, and AirPods Pro vs Beats Powerbeats Pro for more useful information on Air Pods.
Can Apple Air Pods Break If Dropped – Conclusion
Whether you’re scared of everyday falls, or that once in a blue moon situation where your pair of Air pods take a trip through the washing machine, rest assured they’ll be fine. The folks over at Apple have done some clever tech wizardry in design and building materials that allow you to be confident in their durability.
Thanks to high-grade, durable plastic, which is molded into ergonomic yet string forms, important components are protected from most impacts and even water to a certain degree. Should something happen, make sure to get them dry as quickly as possible, and they should be fine.
Hopefully, this article has served to reassure you that those dollars were well spent. Go over to your Pods right now, pop them in and listen to your favorite tune, happy in the knowledge that they’ll continue to do so for years to come.
Until next time, happy listening!
