Radiation Level (SAR value) of AirPods Pro

Yes, I just read your post after I wrote mine.

Here the details for the Airpods Pro:

https://fccid.io/BCG-A2084/RF-Exposure-Info/12681939-S1V2-FCC-Report-SAR-4475947

with the text

"SAR Testing was performed on the Flat Phantom for normal use for Head. Additional SAR Testing was performed on the location closest to the Antenna (Rear of the Device) of similar configuration to demonstrate compliance. This was reported as the highest SAR."

The SAR value for „head“ is 0,097 / 0,072 W/kg (left and right are a bit different) and 0,6 for „body“, means „rear of the device“.

So the interesting value is the one for „head“, right?

I think the bogosity factor in that number approaches 1.

Why? Because the output of a BT device when transmitting is 0.01W. So how can the SAR value be any higher than 0.01 w/kg?

No more information from any side? No more measurements or something?

martialmarv wrote:

Thanks for your answers.

Especially pwh_!

For now I will stay away of the AirPods, even though I really would like to buy them. At least until Apple releases any official information about it.

I'm not sure why you're responding to me. I think this is a ridiculous tempest in a teapot. AirPods are not dangerous.

deggie wrote:

The problem with the SARS measurement is no one can actually articulate why it should or should not be at a certain level, it is basically a made up number.

That's the part I find most amusing.

The classes established have a very wide range, just because the AirPods (and every other BT IEM) are in the class does not mean they emit that level. Just like if you are in an age range of 25 - 69 it doesn't mean you are 69.

Just a few thoughts:

I think you are right about the low transmission power of bluetooth.

But: the battery in the airpod has about 0,16 Wh, what means that if they would send with 100 mW, the battery would last for 1,6 hours (provided the whole energy is used for the transmission (of course, it is not). You also need battery for the sound and the sensors, for example.

A battery life from 5 hours means the airpod uses 0,032 W (32 mW) (averaged) for everything that uses battery (except ANC in this case, with ANC the battery lasts for 4,5 hours).

without ANC: 5 hours = 0,032 W (32 mW)

with ANC: 4,5 hours = 0,036 W (36 mW)

Speaking: 3,5 hours = 0,046 W (46 mW).

// in that case, ANC uses 1/10 (0,016 Wh) of the battery life. Everything simplified of course.

I have no idea how the chip works and how much power is used for the other things. But I can imagine that transmission is the most powerful part. Are there any informations about that?

What do you think about the measuring videos? Of course there is a risk to do a lot of mistakes if you don't know what and how to measure in detail. Is there any expert in these videos?

Is it possible that the sensors cause the high radiation (I mean that they can distort the result)?

Or maybe that the airpods are not placed in the ear (what they recognize)?

Do the airpods recognize "hey siri" on the chip?

By the way, what is the source for the airpod SAR value?

EDIT: found: https://fccid.io/BCG-A2032

The SAR value for mobile phones is given for the maximum transmission power. With the airpods as well (100 mW)?

100 mW is, as we derived, just a theoretic value.

And another thought: can the SAR value be higher than the maximum transmission power?

Can 0,1 W warm the body with 0,5 W/kg?

In the document I linked above, I can find different SAR values:

The SAR value body is 0,58 and the SAR value head 0,095.

Can someone explain that?

And here the document for the airpods pro: https://fccid.io/BCG-E3309A/RF-Exposure-Info/12696946-S1V3-FCC-Report-SAR-4416086

They say

"SAR Testing was performed on the Flat Phantom for normal use for Head. Additional SAR Testing was performed on the location closest to the Antenna (Rear of the Device) of similar configuration to demonstrate compliance. This was reported as the highest SAR."

Source: https://fccid.io/BCG-A2032/RF-Exposure-Info/12458150-S2V2-FCC-Report-SAR-4246049 page 14.

Airpods Pro: https://fccid.io/BCG-A2084

Sorry, I linked the wrong document in the post above.

Flozeff, in answer to your question as to where the SAR values came from, the linked document in my earlier posting that details the SAR’S for the Airpod 2’s is on the FCC’S server and is Apple’s submission to the FCC. I don’t think there’s any question about the validity of that data. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a similar document for the pro’s somewhere on that site.

hasefa wrote:

Dear Apple,

I am a big fan of your products and I am really disappointed that you leave your customers hanging on the question, how dangerous our Air Pods 1, 2 and pro. Please formulate a clear statement. I need to use them for work, several hours a day. I need some guidance from your or need to send my products back.

This is a user-to-user forum. You're not addressing Apple here. Apple is not going to respond to you here. If you are not happy with your AirPods and you bought them from Apple within the last 14 days, return them.