Has anyone put their phone underwater and taken pictures or video?

[L0n3N1nja]

I do it. It's fine. The phone is rated at IP68, which means no water ingress if submerged in still water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. It's true that Samsung's warranty says it excludes water damage, but I don't think they can legally get away with that exclusion given their IP68 advertising. A manufacturer is required to stand by a product's advertised capabilities.

One of the first things I do when I get an IP68-rated device is to turn it on and submerge it in a container of water for several minutes while videoing the whole process. If the phone stops working, I'll have proof that its seal was defective before the 2-week exchange period runs out. But none of my IP68 devices have ever failed that test.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...l%2Fgalaxy%2Fwhat-is%2Fip68%2F&token=coyvnjUR

I'm a former Verizon rep and trained specifically as a Samsung advocate. They do not replace water damaged phones.

 

[Gary02468]

There is no legal requirement to have a warranty, and what is warrantied is up to the manufacturer.

There's no requirement to provide a written warranty, but there are definite legal requirements that provide warranty protection even for things that are not covered by a written warranty.

If a manufacturer states "This device will withstand conditions x", then that statement is legally considered an "express warranty" even if the word "warranty" does not appear in that statement. (There are also "implied warranties" that apply even in the absence of such statements.)

You can find a good summary of the relevant law here:
https://consumer.findlaw.com/consumer-transactions/what-are-express-and-implied-warranties.html

For example, a light bulb manufacturer prints the words "lasts 15,000 hours" on its packaging. The words "guaranteed" or "warranty" do not appear, but this claim nevertheless is an express warranty.

 

[o4liberty]

Device is too expensive to chance damage I won’t even try it.

 

[Mooncatt]

If a manufacturer states "This device will withstand conditions x", then that statement is legally considered an "express warranty" even if the word "warranty" does not appear in that statement. (There are also "implied warranties" that apply even in the absence of such statements.)

Giving you the benefit of the doubt, then look at the claim. The IP rating is based on a controlled lab test, not the real world. So at best, they would only have to honor anything if you can show the damage occurred in an identical lab setting and not a real world setting. As I said, there's too many variables for any manufacturer to account for to have a warranty on water damage even with that rating.

And because they expressly say water damage isn't covered, not even an implied warranty argument would hold water (pun only slightly intended).

 

[Gary02468]

And because they expressly say water damage isn't covered, not even an implied warranty argument would hold water (pun only slightly intended).

We're talking about an express warranty here, not an implied warranty. And an express warranty still holds even if it's excluded from the written warranty.

In any case, I'm not making any recommendation for how others should use their phones. Everyone can assess for themselves the risk that their consumer rights might not be upheld. I just want everyone to have accurate information about what their legal rights are in the first place.

It's worth noting though that while many here have reported using various IP68 Notes underwater, I don't recall seeing any reports from someone who intentionally used their (uncracked) IP68 phone underwater under IP68-consistent conditions and then encountered water damage. There could be such reports that I missed, though. Do you know of any?

 

[Mooncatt]

It's worth noting though that while many here have reported using various IP68 Notes underwater, I don't recall seeing any reports from someone who intentionally used their (uncracked) IP68 phone underwater under IP68-consistent conditions and then encountered water damage. There could be such reports that I missed, though. Do you know of any?

I doubt anyone, here or elsewhere, has used their phone under IP68 specific conditions. A pool or even a lake doesn't meet those requirements. Your tap water may not even meet the requirements (I'm assuming the test calls for purified/contaminant free water).

 

[zipro]

Been wanting to get a diving case for the Note 10 but can't seem to be finding anything decent. WI have to stick with the go pro I suppose

 

[whaddupdoe]

Yes. I've done it with my Note 7, S7+, S9+, Note 9 and My Note 10. Used them all at the pool, waterparks, and beach. No issues. But make sure your phone is completely charged, because once the charging port gets wet it will take a few hours for the "moisture detected" notification to go away. You want be able to charge your phone unless you have a wireless charger.

 

[Rukbat]

I know their warranty says it excludes water damage, but do you have any evidence that they can legally get away with excluding an advertised capability from the warranty

In the US it's simple contract law. If the warranty says "not covered", it's not covered.

You might have a case if the phone is advertised as waterproof, because then the warranty is contradicting itself. But it doesn't, and moving the phone, even slowly, can exceed the IP68 rating, which is against 1.624 psi of water pressure (1.5 meters of pure water). If you expose it to 1.63 psi, you've exceeded that, and voided the warranty. (And just the act of putting it into 1.5 meters of water probably far exceeds 2 psi, the IP68 rating really has nothing to do with immersing the phone.) Since you aren't measuring the pressure, and the internal indicators are indicating that they got wet, there's nothing you can do.

 

[me just saying]

Yes. I've done it with my Note 7, S7+, S9+, Note 9 and My Note 10. Used them all at the pool, waterparks, and beach. No issues. But make sure your phone is completely charged, because once the charging port gets wet it will take a few hours for the "moisture detected" notification to go away. You want be able to charge your phone unless you have a wireless charger.

could always cover the charging port with waterproof tape.

 

[Mike Dee]

I doubt anyone, here or elsewhere, has used their phone under IP68 specific conditions. A pool or even a lake doesn't meet those requirements. Your tap water may not even meet the requirements (I'm assuming the test calls for purified/contaminant free water).

Exactly.... IP68 is a specific test in a controlled environmental condition.

 

[Mooncatt]

Exactly.... IP68 is a specific test in a controlled environmental condition.

The same should be said for "military spec" durability too. Yes, there's a test for it, but no requirement of third party verification, and manufacturers are free to determine what is considered pass or fail.

 

[me just saying]

I would never put my phone underwater without some sort of protection. too many horror stories about samsung denying warranty claims because of water damage in spite of the rating.

 

[Venom0642]

Not me won't do it not risking damage on a 1,100 phone.

 

[Mike Dee]

The same should be said for "military spec" durability too. Yes, there's a test for it, but no requirement of third party verification, and manufacturers are free to determine what is considered pass or fail.

Marketing is a wonderful thing!.... or not

 

[wookiee2cu]

Be on the safe side and get a snorkle bag for your phone, just make sure the measurements of the bag are big enough. I had one with my S9+ in Mexico last year, I had to take the case off the phone for it to fit in the bag but it worked out great and gave me piece of mind (plus I was in salt water).

 

[anon(7901790)]

No , its water resistant to certain spec and manufacturer doesn't cover water damage if it happens.

It is IP68 rated which means it can be submerged into 1.5m water for up to 30min.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...l%2Fgalaxy%2Fwhat-is%2Fip68%2F&token=6y7mcCkS

 

[mustang7757]

It is IP68 rated which means it can be submerged into 1.5m water for up to 30min.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...l%2Fgalaxy%2Fwhat-is%2Fip68%2F&token=2eOUgMBK

Yup , I know

 

[me just saying]

It is IP68 rated which means it can be submerged into 1.5m water for up to 30min.

the problem is, it will most likely still void your warranty.

 

[anon(7901790)]

the problem is, it will most likely still void your warranty.

No it won't. Did you not read what I posted? That is from Samsung's web page.