Sony doesnt have much going in the smartphone space except for the waterproof certification for its Xperia smartphones. However, even that certification seems to be under threat after Sony’s website has issued warning to its users to not use its Xperia smartphones while underwater. This may come as a surprise to many of us, as Sony in the past has repeatedly boasted about the water-resistance capabilities of its devices.
Many of the recent waterproof Xperia smartphones and tablets come with the IP68-certification. This 6 translates into a dust-tight device, while the second digit the 8 means submersion into deeper than 1 meter clean water for 30 minutes or more.
Before the Sony Xperia Z5 lineup, many of the Xperia phones were advertised with press photos showing taking selfies or group photos underwater with fully submerged devices, which indirectly suggested that you can actually do those things. However, Sony is now warning it’s customers not to get Xperia smartphones too wet.
“Remember not to use the device underwater,” reads the new “water and dust protection” guide on Sony’s Xperia support page. “The IP rating of your device was achieved in laboratory conditions in standby mode, so you should not use the device underwater, such as taking pictures.”
The question is why Sony backtracking now? The company has been hesitant to repair devices with liquid damage. In many cases, the company said the damage resulted by some of the plastic caps not being tightly closed and thus the warranty did not apply. Realizing that supporting waterproof phones is a tricky business, Sony has finally taken care of the problem by altering warranty terms and conditions.
Additionally, XperiaBlog suggests that Sony may be trying to cover itself against complaints or even lawsuits from customers who do damage to their devices when they get it wet.
If Sony promises that your device will withstand water and then it doesn’t, you’ve been mis-sold that device. But if the company warns you not to take it in water and then you do and it breaks, well, that’s your fault for not taking any notice of the warning.
Currently, no matter the kind of water, Sony does not allow full submersion underwater. It says NOT to use any waterproof device for underwater actions, such as taking photos.
Here are some excerpts of the new waterproof conditions:
- The IP rating of your device was achieved in laboratory conditions in standby mode, so you should not use the device underwater, such as taking pictures. Do not use the device to take photos while performing any type of activity underwater, including diving or snorkeling.
- Taking photos and movies in wet surroundings. Remember not to use the device underwater. If you accidentally get the device wet with non-fresh water, wash the device with tap water.
- Sony devices that are tested for their waterproof abilities are placed gently inside a container filled with tap water and lowered to a depth of 1.5 metres. After 30 minutes in the container, the device is gently taken out and its functions and features are tested.
The rest remains the same close all covers, if you drop your phone/slate into a pool/salt water rinse it under tap water, and that speakers and mics can stop working for up to 3 hours after water exposure.
The fact that Xperia devices are still certified for water-resistance hasn’t changed. Sony says that you can use your phone in the rain, on a windy beach, the shower or in pools and even while you are in the tub. However, just be careful to not fully submerge it. And in the event you do and the phone suffers, Sony could decline assistance and refer you to it’s support materials that warn against taking them into the water.
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