GW3. Getting it wet.

[TechNut79]

So, can it withstand hand washing? A shower? Just curious.

 

[SpookDroid]

It is water resistant up to 5ATM (you can go swimming with it, up to 50 meters deep for 10 minutes), so yeah, it'll be more than fine with a shower and hand washing. The watch band it comes with, however, is leather... so THAT is not good with water/sweaty activities (i.e. stinky and will break apart eventually).

 

[o4liberty]

Hand washing at the most otherwise keep it dry it water resistant not water proof!!

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Hand washing at the most otherwise keep it dry it water resistant not water proof!!

It can definitely withstand a lot more than just hand washing.

Although if you take it into a swimming pool or the sea, rinse it with fresh water. Corrosion is real.

 

[TechNut79]

Thanks everyone!

 

[me just saying]

I would not get it wet if possible. water resistant is not waterproof. most likely it will void your warranty if you should have issues in the future.

 

[Peter621022]

This is what Samsung had to say about it (see below)
So it's OK to go swimming with it. It would be daft if you couldn't since it has swim tracking on it. Don't go skuba diving, though.

No matter what nature throws at you - whether it's rain or puddles - your watch will be perfectly fine. That's because many Samsung smart watches and fitness bands are water resistant. In other words, you can keep track of your workout when it's raining, or even underwater!
Note: Available screens and settings may vary by provider, phone, or watch. Watches may not perform in all extreme conditions.

Water resistance tips for your Samsung smart watch

Even though your watch is water resistant, please remember that it's not indestructible. Make sure you follow these tips carefully to prevent any potential damage:

Whenever your watch gets wet, dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth.

Do not expose the watch to water at high pressure levels.

After using the watch in seawater, rinse it in fresh water and dry it. Failure to do this as instructed may cause the watch to suffer from operability or cosmetic issues.

If the watch is dropped or receives hard impact, the water resistant features may be damaged.

Avoid excessive, sudden temperature changes and high velocity activities. Falls and shocks may weaken the structural integrity of the watch.

The watch is not intended for scuba diving.

The Galaxy Fit, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, and Galaxy Watch Active2 can stay under 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Galaxy Fit, Gear S3, Gear Sport, Gear Fit2 Pro, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, and Galaxy Watch Active2 have all passed military specification (MIL-STD-810G) testing against specific conditions, including drops from 4.9 feet, extreme temperatures, dust, shock and vibration, and low pressure and high altitude.

 

[amyf27]

I leave it on all day with hand washing. Also washed a little dog in a tub yesterday - lots of splash and pouring water etc. Zero problem.

 

[me just saying]

I leave it on all day with hand washing. Also washed a little dog in a tub yesterday - lots of splash and pouring water etc. Zero problem.

the problem is usually not immediate. if later you need to return it for some sort of repair that may not have to do with getting it wet, that is when you will find the warranty is void because something in the phone will be corruded or some sensor will be tripped. or whatever samsung uses to see if it got wet. go to cnet, samsung community and other forums and you will find all sorts of complaints about this. fortunately the watch is a good watch and seldom needs to be sent in for repair.

 

[SpookDroid]

I would not get it wet if possible. water resistant is not waterproof. most likely it will void your warranty if you should have issues in the future.

The watch IS meant to be used in water and warranty does cover water damage as long as the watch hasn't been roughed up or taken beyond the tested pressure (5ATM, 10-min). Just like the mApple Watch, this is geared (get it, Gear? Hold the tomatoes...) towards sports tracking, INCLUDING swimming.

 

[me just saying]

The watch IS meant to be used in water and warranty does cover water damage as long as the watch hasn't been roughed up or taken beyond the tested pressure (5ATM, 10-min). Just like the mApple Watch, this is geared (get it, Gear? Hold the tomatoes...) towards sports tracking, INCLUDING swimming.

you just don't get it, do you. maybe it is meant to get wet but if there is any sign of it if the watch is turned in for warranty work, the warranty is void, PERIOD!!! That is FACT!!! as I said, you should actually read the complaints about this and MAYBE, Jjust MAYBE you will understand. Get it wet, I just hope you will never need to turn it is for warranty work.

one source

https://us.community.samsung.com/t5...ng-won-t-cover-it-under-warranty/td-p/1015270

almost forgot - there is a lawsuit is australia over this.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/04/tech/samsung-australia-lawsuit/index.html

 

[SpookDroid]

Phones are not watches. The lawsuit is over deceiving advertising (arguably correct in this world that needs labels to not eat detergent pods), not false claims: the phone is water resistant up to 1.5m for a certain period of time.

The watch, as stated in the backplate and in the same fashion as most other modern smart watch and standard wrist watch, is, once again, rated for 5ATM.

And no, I haven't had issues with getting neither a couple Fossil smart watches, the Active 2, and now the Watch 3 wet and going swimming with them. And yes, granted, I've only had the Watch 3 for a week so it's soon to tell, but having been in a pool every day since I got it and making sure I take the suggested precautions of rinsing off after a swim (especially in salt water) and making sure I haven't knocked the watch onto the floor or slammed it into a wall...I'd say that yes, you CAN get this watch wet with 'hand washing and a shower', which is what the OP asked about. And I used the Active 2, which holds the same rating, also in frequent swims and daily showers (I'm a twice-a-day shower kinda guy, so the watch got wet often) and not an issue almost a year later.

THESE WATCHES CAN GET WET.

 

[o4liberty]

Water resistant not water proof and no manufacturers cover water damage if they see signs of water warranty void need to read fine print.

As a plumber for over 40 years water and metal don't play nice toghether if you want a watch to go swimming with they sell them but not a smart watch period.

https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/samsung-warranty-on-galaxy-watch-is-useless/

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Water resistant not water proof and no manufacturers cover water damage if they see signs of water warranty void need to read fine print.

As a plumber for over 40 years water and metal don't play nice toghether if you want a watch to go swimming with they sell them but not a smart watch period.

https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/samsung-warranty-on-galaxy-watch-is-useless/

My water pipes are made of metal...

I agree the water resistance is worthless if it's not covered by warranty. But a 5ATM rating means it should easily withstand swimming... Provided the watch isn't damaged. Although, as you'll know, it's pretty much impossible to verify the integrity of a seal without actually inspecting it.

 

[arunma]

I checked my Galaxy Watch 3's warranty info, and there's nothing about water damage voiding the warranty. I've put my watch 3 under water (with a silicone strap, of course) without any issues. Samsung advertises that you can swim with it so swimming in a pool or lake should be fine. Obviously wash it with fresh water if you've swum in salt or chlorinated water though.

 

[Mandarita]

I upgraded to this watch specifically for the swim tracking. I swim laps every morning. This watch is perfect for it. The older watch (The Frontier) could get splashed and I would keep it in while washing my hands and other people's hair, but it could not go in the pool. As mentioned, you'll want to change the band. The speaker clearing function is actually pretty cool. I won't be taking it in the ocean, but I don't wear anything shiney in the ocean as it attracts barracuda. And just like anything else I wear in pool, I rinse it afterwards. I am so glad to have a watch that helps me track my swimming now.

 

[jbjtkbw007]

I have owned 2 Gear Frontier S3's and will be getting a GW3 this weekend. Each watch has survived water parks and submersion in lazy rivers and wave pools with no adverse results. I'm finally getting a new watch because I've had my S3 for like 3 years now and the Power Button no longer responds, so it's time. I've never experienced ANY issues with water. I haven't submerged in the ocean (salt water), but chlorinated water. All good.

 

[SpookDroid]

Just make sure you rinse off! Yes, these things are resistant, but corrosion is real haha (power button is usually the first to go with corrosion that and charging ports, which is why these went with wireless charging)

 

[Mike Dee]

Just make sure you rinse off! Yes, these things are resistant, but corrosion is real haha (power button is usually the first to go with corrosion that and charging ports, which is why these went with wireless charging)

Aren't they all wireless charging?

 

[SpookDroid]

Smart watches yeah, fair point haha