I'll wait for the adventurous and dumb to do it first...
Not sure how "dumb" he is in your opinion, but Tim Cook already does.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Can we wear it in the shower?
- Thread starter JerTheGeek
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Not sure how "dumb" he is in your opinion, but Tim Cook already does.
So because it is rated at IPx7, then that means it is also can handle water jets just fine, like IPx6?
Please enlighten us, how is it possible to determine 'splashed' water from 'submerged' water?
Many devices have "water tabs" that detect if they have water has been present internally
There are areas inside that would only get wet if submerged, verses splashed, no reason why Apple wouldn't have that same knowledge.
Watch manufacturers do testing and even know how long it takes for water to reach certain parts inside the watch while submerged, some watches can be submerged for certain amount of time. I have no idea how, just know it's possible
There are areas inside that would only get wet if submerged, verses splashed, no reason why Apple wouldn't have that same knowledge.
Watch manufacturers do testing and even know how long it takes for water to reach certain parts inside the watch while submerged, some watches can be submerged for certain amount of time. I have no idea how, just know it's possible
Actually it can't be determined. When you open a case back or remove the crystal you release the o-ring gasket seals. Once you do this you can't tell if they were properly seated or not. For what little it's worth I used to work in the jewelry industry and have opened a many of watch cases.
It's IPX7 rated, so technically, you can submerge it in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes before the seals begin to weaken. That's the official statement set by the IP7 water resistant standard.
So, again "technically", you CAN wear it in the shower with no drama. However, my intention is to rest if on the windowsill next to the shower to control/play music. It'll get splashes no doubt, but given its water resistance rating it'll be perfectly fine. That's as far as I would reccomend going in all honesty.
While the water will likely pose little threat, the chemicals in shower gel/soap are a different story, and could erode the seals much faster.
I head someone else in a different thread suggest a similar thing: building a shelf for it. Either way, I think it makes since to not wear it, to avoid soap and stuff; but I agree, putting aside in the shower should be perfectly fine.
Some are viewing the watch in the same light that we've treated our phones and tablets for the last many years - don't get it wet! Protect it from moisture!
Others are at the opposite end of the spectrum - Live life! Soak it! Who cares!??!
I suspect reality is somewhere in the middle.
Others are at the opposite end of the spectrum - Live life! Soak it! Who cares!??!
I suspect reality is somewhere in the middle.
Not sure why you're still confused. An extremely dirty and sweaty Julian returning from extreme trail running hops in the shower to wash the outside of his
Watch, takes it off to wash the backside of the watch, and sets it aside to clean his body (rather than wash the watch separately in a sink). He's most certainly not going to leave it on for the duration of the shower such that the skin beneath the watch doesn't get cleaned.
Last edited:
I'm no expert on the IP standard, but I think you're reading too much into the standard here. IPX7 is generally understood to be more water resistant than IPX6, despite the fact that different testing is used.
There's no way to designate something which has been tested against BOTH jets and submersion. The first numeral indicates dust resistance, and the second indicates water. The Apple Watch was not tested against dust, so it has an X, but this says nothing about water jets. There are special designations, like 6K, which indicates resistance to extra-powerful jets, but no special designation exists which suggests that IPX7 does not include IPX6 from a practical standpoint.
I've seen people say that the pressure at 1M depth is higher than the jets used in IPX6 testing, which is why IPX7 doesn't include those tests. But I'm not an engineer (I'm just a lawyer), so my reading is based only on what I know.
Last edited:
This will be a hot topic after its released and folks start testing it in all situations. I got a pebble recently after understanding thewatch will not last swimming. Well the pebble with a 50m rating got water in it and is now dead. So if the pebble didn't last swimming the apple will definitely not. Waiting for a replacement.
I am curious about Apple warranty and water issues. Apple will have to cover all water related claims. How do you prove 1m vs greater?
watch will not last swimming. Well the pebble with a 50m rating got water in it and is now dead. So if the pebble didn't last swimming the apple will definitely not. Waiting for a replacement. I am curious about Apple warranty and water issues. Apple will have to cover all water related claims. How do you prove 1m vs greater?
No, it's quite clear. There is nothing being read into anything. Did you not read the quote? That's not an interpretation. That is from the actual standard. The IEC standard says clearly that you have to specify both 6 and 7 (or 8) if both apply. The tests for 7/8 do not address the requirements of 6 and below. And yes, I'm referring to the second digit. If you had ever seen a video of the tests you would understand. Test for 6 involve firehose-like spraying.
What I am not saying is that the shower is going to ruin your Apple Watch. But, the reasoning behind that can *NOT* be based on this IPX7 rating. It does *NOT* cover showers or shower-like situations. It doesn't even cover rain! But yeah, something IPX7 is probably resistant to these things. That's not the point. The certification is very narrow and meaningless outside of immersion.
Apple makes a point of saying it's splash proof and gives some scenarios that are "okay" such as exercise or rain, then separately notes the IPX7 rating. That is necessary because IPX7 doesn't imply rain resistance or anything but static immersion at shallow depths for temporary durations.
The issue with mentioning showers is that there is a huge variability between different showers, their pressure, the way people move around in the shower and so on. It's probably not reasonable suggest something can survive a shower if it's not actually IPX6 rated due to extremes. But it's very likely something IPX7 can survive a normal, low pressure, typical heat shower. And since Tim Cook mentioned on a very public, very official event that he showers with this watch on, I'm not going to worry about it for a second.
But you can not just ignore the blatant fact of how IEC defines these codes. Dumb as it is, 1-6 are one set, 7/8 are another, and the latter doesn't imply anything about the former or vice versa.
----------
This will be a hot topic after its released and folks start testing it in all situations. I got a pebble recently after understanding the
I am curious about Apple warranty and water issues. Apple will have to cover all water related claims. How do you prove 1m vs greater?
You probably just got a faulty Pebble. Random manufacturing defects apply to water sealing too, you know.
I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable enough to wear my
Watch in the shower. I'd just be way too nervous! I feel like it's a pretty smart policy to just avoid getting electronic devices too soaked.
Not sure why you're still confused. An extremely dirty and sweaty Julian returning from extreme trail running hops in the shower to wash the outside of his
I understand why he says he does it -- don't see the advantage, but understand the concept. I don't understand why anyone would want to wear their watch in the shower just to wear it in the shower. Plenty around here seem to be suggesting they want to do that.
I personally wear my Pebble so I can control music and radio in the shower, and also receiving notifications is convenient
Completely agree. Now you can actually respond to them! I fully intent to wear mine in the shower and will replace it each and every single time, under warranty, if it gets damaged. They posted the water resistant rating, and I will hold them accountable if it broke from a shower.
The world is full of people that do almost everything conceivable and no one could ever understand all the motives. Even if you can't understand you should just accept it. Remember Tim Cook stated it by saying he wears his in the shower.
Just got in from an 8 mile run, have my Garmin on (wrong/right wrist trying to get used to it
) and about to hop in the shower with it on. Eccentric, odd, strange or whatever you see it as many people do it. My only excuse is it saves me from washing it separately. When I get the Watch I will probably be wearing 2 watches in the shower. Now that may earn me a trip to the looney bin.
FTR, Cook didn't say that "*AT THE KEYNOTE*", but rather to a group of employees at an Apple Store in Germany.
My mistake. Thanks for the source.
----------
IPX7 rating doesn't cover water jets of any kind, not even rain. You'll have to use another basis for your claims. IPX7 only covers static immersion, as in, the water is not moving and the device is not moving in the water.
Don't get me wrong, I think it'll be okay in the shower, but, it's not because of that rating. The IEC standard is very specific about this, 1-6 in that last digit spot is progressive, as in, 6 implies 1-5, but, not 7 and 8. They are a separate test entirely and the spec wants a company to write both IPX6/IPX7 like that if they certified for water jets as well as immersion.