Sony: Don't use our waterproof phones underwater

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Spacescreamer

Spacescreamer

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Bad news if you were planning to take your Xperia Z5 for a dip: In a change to its guidelines for the device, Sony says you shouldn't take the device underwater, and you'll void its warranty if you do.

Waterproofing has long been a key selling point of the Xperia line, and the Z5 has the highest possible IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. That means it's been tested by being immersed in fresh water for 30 minutes in depths of up to 1.5 metres.

However, the language used on Sony's website has changed: "The IP rating of your device was achieved in laboratory conditions in standby mode, so you should not use the device underwater," the new policy says.


In other words, Sony can't guarantee that swimming and snapping photos won't damage your handset, because it didn't test the phone in every possible scenario. It remains one of the best handsets for waterproofing, however.

"There are... many environmental factors which we could not assess [during testing]," explains a Sony representative in a forum post. "Therefore we recommend not submerging our Xperia Z5 in water."

The updated guidelines apply to all three models of the Xperia Z5 and you can read them for yourself on the official Sony website. "You should not put the device completely underwater or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water or liquids such as drinks," it says.
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Pretty obvious as well. With the Xperia Z5 series getting an uncovered charging port, the device wont be able to handle the pressure exerted on the orifice when taken underwater. The water repellent coating will protect from accidental spills, but not sustained exposure with pressure.
 
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iPwnz said:
I actually LOL'ed. Do people really use their "waterproof" phones underwater? :hilarious:
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What is there to LOL about? If a phone gives them the ability to shoot underwater, it is not a far fetched thing to get some clicks done while having sunday pool parties. Unlike in India, many people have a penchant for water sports/recess time.

And that there was a Z3 underwater unboxing video, it only made the idea stick more firmly.
 
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Yeah, agree that there's nothing to lol about here. Was by the pool just yesterday & thinking about how cool it'd be to take some snaps while in the pool.

What is lol worthy imo is this certification. What sense does it then make to say that this is IP68 certified, if it isn't usable in real world scenarios?

In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's misleading. How many people looking to buy this would be aware of the fine print? Wouldn't the salesmen at retailers all over be saying that the waterproofing/resistance is one of the specialties?
 
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Why to pay the ip68 certification premium if the phone can't be used under water ?
Then don't cover the charging ports too making it a lot easier for us to charge the phone everyday without opening the flaps .
I guess Samsung is much more honest with their waterproof phones (s5) than Sony is .
 
I already knew that without a flap or any protection to a charging port how a device gonna be a 100% waterproof....and now this news.

I will stick to my Z3 for as long as possible unless z7 or z9 unveils with something like muddy water, drainage water or best all water resistance. :p
 
Spacescreamer said:
What is there to LOL about? If a phone gives them the ability to shoot underwater, it is not a far fetched thing to get some clicks done while having sunday pool parties. Unlike in India, many people have a penchant for water sports/recess time.

And that there was a Z3 underwater unboxing video, it only made the idea stick more firmly.
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What I meant was I wouldn't use it underwater even if its "waterproof" because I was already aware about things like "in fresh water for 30 minutes in depths of up to 1.5 metres" with "waterproof" gadgets including watches and the "hidden" policies.
But I wouldn't mind using in the rain in case of emergencies however. Just that I wouldn't totally dip in water. And so the lol was for people who actually wanted/tried to use the phone underwater. I guess Sony must've not wanted to be sued/or hear complaints from people who used their phones underwater after "Sony claims of being waterproof". My policy for this type of things is better be safe than sorry.
 
There used to be a labeling on watches
Water Resistant vs Waterproof

Water Resistant can withstand some amount of dipping and rains etc but are prone to malfunction if used underwater for long.

Whereas waterproof never had any problems whatsoever & could be used in Scuba diving too.
So actually the phones are water resistant not waterproof. It's obfuscation from Sony & they should honour the warranty claims
 
Yeah there's a huge diff. between the two-- Water Resistant vs Waterproof.

People go blind and dumb when they read either of these and jump into water with the poor gadget.
 
sony scamming buyers. i just bought a 150 rs double zip pack to use my galaxy s3 underwater when i went to a water place and it worked great.
 
drkrack said:
There used to be a labeling on watches
Water Resistant vs Waterproof

Water Resistant can withstand some amount of dipping and rains etc but are prone to malfunction if used underwater for long.

Whereas waterproof never had any problems whatsoever & could be used in Scuba diving too.
So actually the phones are water resistant not waterproof. It's obfuscation from Sony & they should honour the warranty claims
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Now that I think about it that really can create a huge confusion and misunderstanding for the buyers. I wonder what exactly was Sony referring to...
 
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