Samsung charged with misleading Galaxy phone owners over water resistance

[Tsepz]

I think this applies to all Phone manufacturers though...at least all those who advertise IP68 as a major feature.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking Samsung to court over allegations it misled customers over the nature of various phones’ water resistance. Samsung has been depicting phones in or near to unsuitable environments such as swimming pools and oceans since 2016, the ACCC alleges, when it didn’t have a basis to make this representation.

“The ACCC alleges Samsung’s advertisements falsely and misleadingly represented Galaxy phones would be suitable for use in, or for exposure to, all types of water, including in ocean water and swimming pools, and would not be affected by such exposure to water for the life of the phone, when this was not the case,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement. The lawsuit is based on a review of more than 300 advertisements.

Various Galaxy phones are advertised as having IP68 water resistance, meaning that they can last in waters 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. But as the ACCC points out, that doesn’t cover all types of water, and Samsung itself says that the Galaxy S10 isn’t advised for beach use. “Samsung showed the Galaxy phones used in situations they shouldn’t be to attract customers,” Mr Sims says, arguing that consumers value water resistance as a feature and were denied an informed choice.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/4/20682059/samsung-australia-lawsuit-accc-water-resistance

 

[yui4]

I fell foul of this with apple My wife's iphone 8 plus fell in a bucket of water (it may have had a small amount of detergent in) and refused to work even after trying to dry it out.

When I went to the genius bar, the guy told me the water marker (?) Had been triggered and wasn't covered

I had to pay the apple care excess and get a replacement.

 

[Tsepz]

I fell foul of this with apple My wife's iphone 8 plus fell in a bucket of water (it may have had a small amount of detergent in) and refused to work even after trying to dry it out.

When I went to the genius bar, the guy told me the water marker (?) Had been triggered and wasn't covered

I had to pay the apple care excess and get a replacement.

OUCH!!!

Yep, this is pretty much the same treatment you will get with other OEMs.

Unfortunately detergent can easily seep in, much like soap and shampoo,all IP68 devices should be kept away from soapy water as well as high pressure hoses etc....

Ultimately with IP68, the device can survive fresh water drops e.g. pool water.

I used my Galaxy Note8, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and P30 Pro around the pool a few times with not a single issue, I did not dip them, just played music and sat them on the table by the pool where they did get wet from me using them and splashes.

I did used to dip my Galaxy S7 Edge though to clean it with fresh water, but I have done less of that with my other devices and have never put my iPhone XS Max on water but usually have it in my pocket when cleaning the pool

 

[michael9891]

Regardless of ratings, electronics and water don't mix. I won't even use mine outside when it's raining, not worth the risk.

Sure it was on here I read about a guy taking his phone in the shower regularly to listen to music. Until it stopped working because of water damage.

 

[tbayrgs]

IP ratings are relevant the moment they come out of the box...and that’s it.

Regular use and wear and tear can compromise that initial resistance. All those times you bumped, dropped, banged around your phone with no ‘apparent’ physical damage could have cumulatively weakened a seal so that time later in your phone’s lifespan where is does become submerged, it’s susceptible to water damage.

People too often assume water resistance means ‘waterproof’.

 

[toptekjon]

Regardless of ratings, electronics and water don't mix. I won't even use mine outside when it's raining, not worth the risk.

Sure it was on here I read about a guy taking his phone in the shower regularly to listen to music. Until it stopped working because of water damage.

I’ve had my iPhone in the shower every single day since the iPhone 7 launch, then iPhone X, and now XS Max. Zero issues, but I don’t hold it up and intentionally blast it with water of course. It gets quite wet, but just from inadvertent splashes really. No problems whatsoever.

 

[5105973]

My phones get splashed on. I sometimes wipe them down with wet paper towels. But I think it’s just common sense to avoid submersing them in salt water and swimming pools. Even high humidity apparently has at times tripped that water sensor thingy.

I wouldn’t carry anything out into the ocean. The surf is usually rough at the beaches I go to and one hard wave will send my phone to the baby shark doo do do doo doot.

 

[WitchDrAsh2]

Yeah looks like I’m in for some fun, just had my XS Max go wrong after falling into a pool because I though IP68 no problem, so was using it while standing knee deep in water. At least I have AppleCare+ I suppose

 

[sunking101]

Dumbos always think that water resistance = waterproof. I would be afraid of using my IP68 phone in the rain let alone fully submerging it and yet some people take their phones swimming and snorkelling etc. Unless a phone is 200m waterproof and rated for scuba diving I would just avoid water as per phones of old. I just use the IP68 rating as an insurance policy should I ever drop my phone in the loo or something!

 

[animalx]

I've used my Galaxy phones over the years underwater many times. My son enjoys taking pictures underwater in the pool. I've been doing this for years, and never had a single issue. I wouldn't do it with salt water though, because that will result in salt drying up in places you wouldn't want it. But as for pools, it's really no issue.

 

[sunking101]

I've used my Galaxy phones over the years underwater many times. My son enjoys taking pictures underwater in the pool. I've been doing this for years, and never had a single issue. I wouldn't do it with salt water though, because that will result in salt drying up in places you wouldn't want it. But as for pools, it's really no issue.

Rather you than me.

 

[animalx]

Rather you than me.

Well, like I said, I've been doing it for years and never had a problem. I see no reason to stop.

 

[sunking101]

Well, like I said, I've been doing it for years and never had a problem. I see no reason to stop.

They don't warranty water damage whether it occurs in the rain or 5m underwater whilst snorkelling. No photo is so important that I'll risk my $1000+ phone. Even if the phone itself remains watertight your speaker cones aren't going to thank you for drenching them.
My advice would be to get a purpose-built waterproof housing or to leave your phone on the sunlounger...

 

[animalx]

They don't warranty water damage whether it occurs in the rain or 5m underwater whilst snorkelling. No photo is so important that I'll risk my $1000+ phone. Even if the phone itself remains watertight your speaker cones aren't going to thank you for drenching them.
My advice would be to get a purpose-built waterproof housing or to leave your phone on the sunlounger...

1) I don't use cases
2) I'm not concerned with what a warranty does it doesn't cover. I'm a big boy. I know, the risks, and I'm fine with it.
3) That speaker cone stuff you said is nonsense. Having the phone underwater has never been an issue with it, and it won't be.
4) If you're so afraid of the possibility of having to replace a phone, that's you . Not everyone is worries about that...

 

[sunking101]

1) I don't use cases
2) I'm not concerned with what a warranty does it doesn't cover. I'm a big boy. I know, the risks, and I'm fine with it.
3) That speaker cone stuff you said is nonsense. Having the phone underwater has never been an issue with it, and it won't be.
4) If you're so afraid of the possibility of having to replace a phone, that's you . Not everyone is worries about that...

You can do whatever you want with your own phone. If you think that pool photos are essential then be my guest, nobody is stopping you.
The speaker cone thing isn't nonsense. Listen to some music when the cones are wet! How can that possibly be good for them?