Water Resistance and Warranties

[Coraya]

Now that most devices are being released with some type of water resistance, what kind of warranty is being backed by manufacturer claims? I'm still uncomfortable getting my G6 or my wife's S7 near water.

 

[SpookDroid]

They have the same warranty as before, but their seals should withstand water. If they detect water damage on a Warranty claim, they'll check the seals to see if they were faulty or compromised.

As long as you keep in mind that the devices aren't waterPROOF and keep to their respective water RESISTANCE levels (i.e. no more than 5 feet of still, sweet water or equivalent pressure for no more than 30 minutes for the latest IP68-rated Samsung phones; salt water is corrosive and most general consumer devices' IP Rating isn't guaranteed for salt water immersion) you should be fine. I take my S7 Edge to the pool with me all the time, but I never go under with it (but it does get pretty wet while using it). I keep reminding snapchatting iTeens that their shiny, new iPhone is not meant to be used underwater (it's got less protection than Samsung's) and even more because the pool in my apartment complex is salt water.
Also remember that water pressure plays a role here, too. It's not the same to have the phone under still water than submitting it to a jet of watter (think jacuzzi or pressurized hose stream). Having your phone in your hand and 'sliding' it underwater while taking a stroke while swimming or just walking around with it also submits it to extra pressure, and the seals might not hold if that exceeds the level stated by the manufacturer or the claimed IP Rating.

 

[Stevenmc8602]

Basically if they detect that water damage occurred it will not be covered under warranty... As far as I know HTC is the only phone that covers water damage with their uh oh protection

 

[SpookDroid]

Basically if they detect that water damage occurred it will not be covered under warranty... As far as I know HTC is the only phone that covers water damage with their uh oh protection

Not exactly. Samsung, at least, will make a report on the seals if the claimed device shows water damage. Yes, these are hard to debug after they're compromised and most of the time they might try to claim that you submitted the device to greater water pressure or more time or dropped the phone and that compromised the seal, therefore, not being able to keep the Warranty. But they do issue a report on the seals if the water damage indicator is 'tripped'.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Now that most devices are being released with some type of water resistance, what kind of warranty is being backed by manufacturer claims? I'm still uncomfortable getting my G6 or my wife's S7 near water.

I happily dip my S7 Edge in water monthly to clean it.

At the end of the day you'd rather insure your phone until these manufacturers sort out their warranties.