Water might have killed my Z3

[Nisse Tuta]

So is the Sony Xperia Z3 as waterproof as they say? Maybe Not!
This is the documentation of my now drowned Z3. I will post a follow up on how I get it sorted out.

Please note that it is probably condensation thats the issue and not actual leakage.

Besides that the phone is great and I have a few review videos to come

UPDATE:
After a few days I could start the phone again and after a few more days of letting it sit upside-down it has dried.
I noticed that the flash dried first, that's why I had it upside down.

Sony told me to send it in but couldn't promise that they would fix it.

So I'm just gonna let it be and consider it water-resistant instead of waterproof.

UPDATE August 2015:
In celebration of 200k views on my Z3 Camera Review I decided to do a follow up on its water leakage "issue".
The background story is that the "Waterproof" Z3 can have a problem with water. In the comment section of that video I can see that there are lots of people around the world that have received faulty units.

But even so its definitely more splash proof than most phones/cameras. And I have no problems using the Z3 in a little rain.
To demonstrate made a little test.

 

[anon(5630457)]

When I get my Z3v on Thursday, I'm not going to immerse it in water. I'll just trust it's waterproof and only use the waterproofing when it's raining outside.

I'm interested to see if your phone works...

 

[smooth4lyfe]

Were all the ports covered completely? Seems like water may have gotten inside the phone, which could imply the ports were not covered all the way

If its condensation, it may fix itself after some time

 

[Switch0r]

Are there more people with this problem ?

 

[Nisse Tuta]

When I get my Z3v on Thursday, I'm not going to immerse it in water. I'll just trust it's waterproof and only use the waterproofing when it's raining outside.

I'm interested to see if your phone works...

Smart move
What I'm going to do if they decide to give me a new one instead of fixing it is the exact same thing so I know it works.

 

[Nisse Tuta]

Were all the ports covered completely? Seems like water may have gotten inside the phone, which could imply the ports were not covered all the way

If its condensation, it may fix itself after some time

All ports where closed firmly.

 

[Nisse Tuta]

Are there more people with this problem ?

There is at least enough people that doesn't have the problem for it to be considered a abnormality.

 

[hanime]

There is at least enough people that doesn't have the problem for it to be considered a abnormality.

Just like iPhone 6+ bentgate. *SMH*

So it seems like it's a condensation problem, not necessarily water inside it? If so, was it hot water?

 

[JBeef]

Yeah was it hot water? There seems to be a lot of condensation around the top of that jug you drop it in. Or is it just a a cheap plastic jug with a frosted effect?

 

[Nisse Tuta]

Just like iPhone 6+ bentgate. *SMH*

So it seems like it's a condensation problem, not necessarily water inside it? If so, was it hot water?

Yeah I suspected condensation much like what happens to regular cameras as well from time to time.
No it was cold water.

Yeah was it hot water? There seems to be a lot of condensation around the top of that jug you drop it in. Or is it just a a cheap plastic jug with a frosted effect?

No Cold.

 

[JBeef]

So is the Sony Xperia Z3 as waterproof as they say? Maybe Not!
This is the documentation of my now drowned Z3. I will post a follow up on how I get it sorted out.

Please note that it is probably condensation thats the issue and not actual leakage.

Besides that the phone is heat and I have a few review videos to come

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALB9lSCdK70

You should test your phone is waterproof before a test like this (the following is from a XDA thread): "The Best thing you could do is check if the Phone is waterproof BEFORE putting it in water. Hint is not mine but I forgot who posted it before, sorry. To check it you have to close all flaps and call *#*#7378423#*#*, then go to service test and pressure sensor. With all flaps closed press gently on the screen, if pressure will increase that means the Phone is waterproof". With the flaps open I'm told the pressure does not increase.

 

[Nisse Tuta]

You should test your phone is waterproof before a test like this (the following is from a XDA thread): "The Best thing you could do is check if the Phone is waterproof BEFORE putting it in water. Hint is not mine but I forgot who posted it before, sorry. To check it you have to close all flaps and call *#*#7378423#*#*, then go to service test and pressure sensor. With all flaps closed press gently on the screen, if pressure will increase that means the Phone is waterproof". With the flaps open I'm told the pressure does not increase.

It doesn't matter to me since if that test shows its not waterproof I have to send it in anyway so the outcome for me is the same either way.

As a small follow up I contacted the Store and Sony today. Both say I have to send it to Sony. Apparently water damage is not covered by warranty so it will be interesting for me as a journalist to se how it ends
The Phone is alive again BTW and there is no water in the flash, still in the camera though.

 

[JBeef]

Fair enough. But it's still useful to know and my post was aimed more for others than yourself. By checking that service test you can be confident without risking a broken phone like yours.

 

[Nisse Tuta]

Fair enough. But it's still useful to know and my post was aimed more for others than yourself. By checking that service test you can be confident without risking a broken phone like yours.

I know, just pointing out that they arent risking a broken phone since its broken either way

 

[JBeef]

It'll be even more broken with a load of water in it

 

[Roy Droid]

Put your phone in a bag of uncooked rice to absorb the moisture out. Also condensation can occur in cold water. Next time, allow the water to reach room temperature first.

 

[anon(464338)]

I watched a YouTube video for 10 minutes while it was under water with my Z3 compact when I first got it. I ain't skeeeeerd. Ha. You either got a bad one or the flaps weren't shut all the way

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Nisse Tuta]

It'll be even more broken with a load of water in it

IMO, its broken or not. I wouldnt settle with a broken phone

 

[Nisse Tuta]

Put your phone in a bag of uncooked rice to absorb the moisture out. Also condensation can occur in cold water. Next time, allow the water to reach room temperature first.
View attachment 142514

That's my theory yes, we will see if I was right.

 

[Nisse Tuta]

I watched a YouTube video for 10 minutes while it was under water with my Z3 compact when I first got it. I ain't skeeeeerd. Ha. You either got a bad one or the flaps weren't shut all the way

Posted via the Android Central App

Flaps was closed. But it doesn't mean that its a bad one.
Condensation can happen to $+10k dollar lenses that are weather sealed.