Why not more waterproof smartphones ?

[Tig Bitties]

My question is why aren't more phones following the S5 water resistant technology ? Seems like such a real world useful feature.


I don't even own the Galaxy S5, because I'm on ATT, and no custom Recovery allowed, so I won't buy it. But that's a story for a different thread. But if Recovery was available, the S5 would have been a slam dunk easy choice for me last year.

I am just surprised more manufactures don't make waterproof smartphones like the S5 and some of Sony's phones too ? I mean we know the technology is finally there to do it. Even Sony has it on a lot of their smartphones now.

Great for people with pools, or active around water like Fishing, boating, etc... even the accidental drop in the sink or bathtub is helpful.

I was shocked the iPhone 6 line wasn't water resistant.

Would like to see all smartphones waterproof like the S5 or Sony's, moving forward. Rumors are that the new Galaxy S6 will NOT have that water resistance like the S5, they will keep that for the Active S6 only.

 

[jamezr]

My question is why aren't more phones following the S5 water resistant technology ? Seems like such a real world useful feature.


I don't even own the Galaxy S5, because I'm on ATT, and no custom Recovery allowed, so I won't buy it. But that's a story for a different thread. But if Recovery was available, the S5 would have been a slam dunk easy choice for me last year.

I am just surprised more manufactures don't make waterproof smartphones like the S5 and some of Sony's phones too ? I mean we know the technology is finally there to do it. Even Sony has it on a lot of their smartphones now.

Great for people with pools, or active around water like Fishing, boating, etc... even the accidental drop in the sink or bathtub is helpful.

I was shocked the iPhone 6 line wasn't water resistant.

Would like to see all smartphones waterproof like the S5 or Sony's, moving forward.

I for one would love to see all flagships have some water resistance. But I am not a fan of the flaps on the S5. There has to be a better way of preventing water for the occasional accident. If someone wants true waterproofing...they make cases for that..

 

[SurferMan]

Sony phones and tablets are waterpoof, S5 is resistant but thats more than enough for me. Sony also does it without making their devices bulky, just check out how slim their phones or especially tablets are. I agree its a great feature, I'm always out by our pool, dock, boat etc, never a worry with this S5. Got caught in a freak rainstorm while running, no problem, and didn't have it in an arm band either (which generally suck for moisture as its more like body sweat resistance not rain lol, ask my wife how that worked out with an iPhone... fried lol). Taken some cool pics and vids underwater. Active models were a bit bulkier and gimped in some ways, they put a crappy camera in the S4 Active.

I've had mine for almost a year no, not sure why some don't like the flap, I've never had a problem with it opening or closing or tearing off.

 

[MRU]

I hate the horrible flaps and compromises that have to be made to a device to offer waterproofing.

I suspect GS6 will not be waterproof - like the Alpha and the Note 4.

 

[mattopotamus]

I hate the horrible flaps and compromises that have to be made to a device to offer waterproofing.

I suspect GS6 will not be waterproof - like the Alpha and the Note 4.

That has to be the number one reason a lot of phones are not waterproof. That is certainly the reason the iphone is not. Looks > waterproofing to most people and most companies.

Having to deal with flaps every time you want to charge your phone is a PITA.

 

[MRU]

That has to be the number one reason a lot of phones are not waterproof. That is certainly the reason the iphone is not. Looks > waterproofing to most people and most companies.

Having to deal with flaps every time you want to charge your phone is a PITA.

Very much so, I wonder how many people have broken their flap on the GS5 & Xperia Z's - thereby rendering the waterproofing void.

Likewise offering a waterproof device must be a PITA for companies legally wise who then have to offer extra warranty hardware & customer support for devices that do get damaged by water - despite the phone being 'waterproofed'.

Add then that waterproofing - is basically for 'clean' water - and not for 'salt' water (sea water) which is likely the place people who want a water proof phone for more so than 'clean' water.

 

[SurferMan]

pita? lol.... it takes milliseconds to undo and put back and I've got a Ringke slim case on mine, 1 year now with it and no prob and doesn't bother me in the least and I'm a heavy user, wife has one too and if anything she would complain and doesn't lol. Looks? What looks... its flush into the phone, not sticking out 2 ft from it lol. I mean if someone can't deal with that flap, I'd hate to see how they deal with and handle stuff in the real world

 

[mKTank]

pita? lol.... it takes milliseconds to undo and put back and I've got a Ringke slim case on mine, 1 year now with it and no prob and doesn't bother me in the least and I'm a heavy user, wife has one too and if anything she would complain and doesn't lol. Looks? What looks... its flush into the phone, not sticking out 2 ft from it lol. I mean if someone can't deal with that flap, I'd hate to see how they deal with and handle stuff in the real world

It's still an inconvenience and reeks of amateur design. Most people don't have a problem keeping their phone away from the water.

 

[Technarchy]

That has to be the number one reason a lot of phones are not waterproof. That is certainly the reason the iphone is not. Looks > waterproofing to most people and most companies.

Having to deal with flaps every time you want to charge your phone is a PITA.

For my duration with the S5, that flap was never a PITA as far as I am concerned. I miss the water resistance and wish it was on my Note 4.

 

[SurferMan]

It's still an inconvenience and reeks of amateur design. Most people don't have a problem keeping their phone away from the water.

Not in South FL, boat and fishing in rough weather or good gonna get splashed and wet in a CC, pool almost always etc. My wifes previous iPhone had a water proof case, used to have to use a butter knife to pry that thing apart now that was a pain in the ass and clumsy. All my neighbors on my street fish as we have little competitions between us, some have switched to S5 for this very reason, just no worry. Others have those cases that are truly a pita. I'll take dealing with a flap for milliseconds vs one of the nuclear bomb proof cases which also cause poor response/interaction with the screen, been there done that lol. Or like I said out running, like we did other day 12 miles, rained a bit out of no where no worry, or the time my wife had her iPhone in the water safe arm band only to have a freak rain storm and the phone got wet and fried.

Not amateur design, its the way for "water resistance" with IP67, now Sonys are "water proof" and are IP 55 and 58 rated which is a different design. And I'll pry go Sony next as wasn't a fan of the S4 Active as if they do the same to the S6 it'll be bulkier and gimped in some way like they did with the crap camera last time. If you mean by design they should have done 55 and 58 vs 67 specs, I'll give you that.

I'll deal with a flap that take milliseconds and be around water no prob, or out in my pool and doing business with not a worry like I did yesterday lol . . I mean seriously, if someone can't handle dealing with that flap, I would hate to see how they deal with or handle real issues in life lol

 

[mKTank]

I mean seriously, if someone can't handle dealing with that flap, I would hate to see how they deal with or handle real issues in life lol

Usually real issues in life extend beyond worrying about one's motor control near swimming pools or in a boat...I'm doing just fine up here.

 

[Fernandez21]

I wonder why they don't offer wireless charging default on those phones, that way you won't need to deal with that flap.

 

[gotluck]

I wonder why they don't offer wireless charging default on those phones, that way you won't need to deal with that flap.

That's a good question

 

[diamond.g]

I wonder why they don't offer wireless charging default on those phones, that way you won't need to deal with that flap.

Usually the carriers interfere, AT&T doesn't support Qi charging (which is the most prevalent) they support PMA. That and Apple hasn't picked a wireless charging standard (or came up with one of their own) for anyone to worry about it yet.

Basically, as usual, once Apple start making devices Water Resistant (and include wireless charging), others will start touting the same things (even if they are already water resistant).

It is also unlikely Apple will do wireless charging due to Lightning connector license payments they receive.

 

[Savor]

Qii charging should be standard which eliminate some flaps. Actually wireless and fast charging with a removable battery is the ultimate combo for me. S5 was one of the only WATER RESISTANT phones of last year which had all of it. Probably underappreciated by many reviewers including Jon Rettinger ranking it only #9.

I personally hate how some OEM's gravitate like Apple and go for STYLE over SUBSTANCE. HTC, Sony, and Motorola are starting to go away from a removable battery. Samsung might go the same route if they want to improve on their design with metal. But I dislike seeing them pick short-term FLASHINESS over longer-term PRACTICALITY.

My next phone is hopefully Note 4 or last year's S5 simply because I am afraid Samsung will go for style this year. I don't believe buyers should base such things as removable battery, water resist, expandable storage, etc but it is superficial to base it on premium build quality and design as well. For the longer-term, it is nice to have those OPTIONS. Shame S5 gets ridiculed of its unattractiveness when it is a phone built to last longer. I don't want the market to turn into a beauty contest while losing what made them smart in the first place.

 

[JaySoul]

Maybe it just depends where you live.

My life has very little interaction with water, but if I lived in Bali I'd be near the water for much of the day.

 

[I7guy]

I'd rather have the thinness, style, function and form. I could care less about waterproofing, wireless charging and the like. All that stuff adds bulk and heft.

 

[gotluck]

Maybe it just depends where you live.

My life has very little interaction with water, but if I lived in Bali I'd be near the water for much of the day.

Yea I agree

Living in FL I would imagine I value it more than other folks. Even just for the summer rain we get here..forget ocean / lakes / canals / pool

 

[JaySoul]

Yea I agree

Living in FL I would imagine I value it more than other folks. Even just for the summer rain we get here..forget ocean / lakes / canals / pool

True.

The only time there is any real danger of my phone getting dunked is if I'm stupid enough to take it into the toilet (which I am, of course).

But yeah for someone living in Florida, a Sony Z3 would be a great shout really.

 

[epicrayban]

Do the current crop of water proof smartphone protect against steam? Like if I were to use my device to play music in thee bathroom whilst in the shower (the device would not come in with me) would it be fine with the steam?

 

[gotluck]

Do the current crop of water proof smartphone protect against steam? Like if I were to use my device to play music in thee bathroom whilst in the shower (the device would not come in with me) would it be fine with the steam?

I actually do this with my current non waterproof phone but I may just be lucky

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True.

The only time there is any real danger of my phone getting dunked is if I'm stupid enough to take it into the toilet (which I am, of course).

But yeah for someone living in Florida, a Sony Z3 would be a great shout really.

I've had some close toilet calls too :-/ didn't think about that hah

 

[I7guy]

Do the current crop of water proof smartphone protect against steam? Like if I were to use my device to play music in thee bathroom whilst in the shower (the device would not come in with me) would it be fine with the steam?

My 5s is in the bathroom whilst taking a shower. Been doing that since I acquired the phone. Haven't had an issue in a year.

 

[diamond.g]

My 5s is in the bathroom whilst taking a shower. Been doing that since I acquired the phone. Haven't had an issue in a year.

yeah in theory the high humidity could trigger the water indicators, though I personally have never seen that in practice.

My cousin loved taking underwater pool videos when he first got his GS5. All his friends called him on it immediately too, it was funny.

 

[Altis]

Basically, as usual, once Apple start making devices Water Resistant (and include wireless charging), others will start touting the same things (even if they are already water resistant).

Others are already doing it. If Apple does it now, "as usual", Apple will be the one to follow.

Apple has shown no interest in how the phone deals with anything but the most ideal environments (ie. office and home). You benefit hugely from a case for anything outside of that.

 

[diamond.g]

Others are already doing it. If Apple does it now, "as usual", Apple will be the one to follow.

Apple has shown no interest in how the phone deals with anything but the most ideal environments (ie. office and home). You benefit hugely from a case for anything outside of that.

Except cases cover the beauty of the device...