Waterproof iPhone: models, protective cases, etc.

November 17, 2018
iOS
Vladimir Kopylov

Recently, almost all smartphones are protected from water. Manufacturers are actively promoting this feature of gadgets. Apple was no exception, recently releasing smartphones protected from water. In this article, we will find out which iPhone is waterproof. We’ll also talk about what protection standards there are and how they work.

Waterproof models

Officially, all the latest iPhone models are waterproof, starting with the iPhone 7. Taking into account the latest presentation, there are already 5 smartphones in the line of protected devices - iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. All of them have a protection rating of IP 67 .

However, this does not mean that you can safely swim with your phone. iPhones have a really large safety margin, but if water does get inside the case, this will not be a warranty case. It is also important to understand what the security index says.

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Waterproof: IP68; maximum 1.5 meters for 30 minutes Display: 6.7-inch OLED (3120x1440) Rear cameras: 50 MP main (ƒ/1.85), 12 MP ultra-wide (ƒ/2.2), 48 MP telephoto (ƒ/3.5) with 4x optical zoom Front camera: 11.1 MP (ƒ/2.2) CPU: Tensor Battery life (hours:minutes): 7:49

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How to determine the level of water resistance

Adding water resistance affects the cost of the device - experts say the price increases by 10-15%. Therefore, Apple refused additional protection for a long time. However, the need to increase resistance to the external environment is still ripe: competitors have been using the corresponding technologies for a long time.

The degree of water resistance and dust protection is calculated using the Ingress Protection rating. The requirements for devices are set out in international standards.

The most popular standard is IP67, which is what the latest smartphone models from Apple offer. IP is an abbreviation for the name of the rating. The first number (6) shows the degree of protection against solid particles. The maximum possible value is just 6, that is, iPhone 7 and higher are completely protected from dust getting inside the case.

The second digit determines the degree of protection against moisture. According to the IP standard, the number 7 means that during short-term immersion, water does not enter in volumes that disrupt the operation of the device.

Working in immersive mode is not implied - you should not shoot the underwater world on your iPhone, as if it were not a phone, but an action camera in a protective box. A short-term immersion to a depth of up to 1 m is possible - a fall into a sink, toilet or puddle is quite suitable.

Testing smartphone capabilities

According to the company, the device can spend half an hour at a depth of a meter without serious consequences. As soon as the device went on sale, it was immediately subjected to numerous tests, the results of which instantly spread across the network:

Among the first is an experiment during which the gadget spent half a minute on the ocean coast.
Another test sample spent 8 hours at the bottom of the aquarium.

Both tests did not prove in any way the actual performance of the device after the test.

iPhone 7 waterproof testing

Real iPhone waterproofing

At the presentation of the iPhone 7, water resistance was announced, so immediately after the device went on sale, experiments began. According to the IP 67 standard, the smartphone can be immersed to a depth of no more than 1 m. The duration of the immersion should not exceed 30 minutes. But are these indicators? Users were also interested in the question of what kind of water the iPhone can be immersed in. The sea has salty water, and the pool has a high chlorine content. The conditions are different, does the defense really cope with everyone the same?

The results of the tests cannot be considered official, because they were carried out by ordinary users. However, some interesting points can be noted:

After diving in the Dead Sea for a day, the battery in the smartphone ran out, but after being removed from the water and charging, it turned on and continued to work. How long the iPhone will live after such a dive is unknown. Perhaps over time it will be finished off by oxidation of the contacts.

When diving to a depth of 1-2 meters, you can film underwater life on your iPhone. Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy S7, which also claims to be protected from water, turns off. The iPhone screen continues to glow.
The protection also copes with chlorinated water: tests have shown that you can swim in the pool with an iPhone. You can even shoot a video with it.
iPhone X survived several minutes in a river at a depth of 6 meters. And it worked even after a couple of minutes in the washing machine.

Despite the positive results, you should not take risks with deliberately immersing your smartphone to great depths. Users have verified that water resistance is not a marketing ploy, but a working technology. Trust their experience.

Why you SHOULD NOT bathe your iPhone in water, much less in the sea

Let's face it, the iPhone 7's water resistance has put us at ease .

We completely trusted the abbreviation IP67 and no longer worry when the smartphone gets splashed or lies on something wet. And in the relaxed conditions of 24-hour resort bars, every now and then someone comes up with a brilliant idea - to comprehend the magical world of underwater photography.

We a thousand times , but before the holiday season it would be useful to remind you again: IP67 does not always save you from water.

Related article: When will it be possible to install iOS 7 on an iPhone?

Water resistance of other models

During the presentation of the iPhone SE, Apple did not announce the presence of water resistance. However, user tests have shown that protection technologies began to be tested on the iPhone 6S. After 15 minutes of being in the water, the Home button, camera and other functions work on the devices. 21 minutes after diving, the iPhone SE turns off, but after being removed from the water it starts up quietly and works without problems.

However, if you try to submerge an iPhone 6 or 5S in water, it won't last even 5 minutes. To make it more protected from external influences, you will have to purchase additional accessories.

Breakdown due to water - warranty case or not

Having found out whether the iPhone XR is waterproof or not, the user will probably be interested in whether water ingress is covered under warranty. It should be borne in mind that Apple does not provide a guarantee on this matter, so if the gadget gets wet, the user will have to pay for repairs out of his own pocket.

However, do not be upset ahead of time. It is known that some companies that sell gadgets, in an attempt to attract buyers, provide additional insurance against damage, including moisture. Such insurance can be purchased for an additional amount. It is valid for a limited period of time (for example, six months). Then it can be extended.

Advice! To protect your mobile phone and protect yourself from unnecessary expenses if repairs are necessary, it is better to check with your mobile phone store in advance about the possibility of purchasing additional insurance.

Insurance is useful if the gadget is purchased for a child, teenager or person leading an active lifestyle. In addition to water ingress, you can insure your gadget against shocks and other mechanical damage. You should also immediately clarify whether this XR iPhone model is waterproof or not.

It is not always possible to revive a wet phone

Statistics say that moisture is the most common reason for iPhone repairs. However, even the most experienced and highly qualified technician will not always be able to revive a wet device. Waterproofing the iPhone XR is a complex issue. After all, water affects different models differently. This largely depends on the build quality and the material from which the “insides” of the mobile phone are made.

If your iPhone gets wet and stops working, don’t be afraid or panic. You should start by drying the device. Perhaps after this it will work, and the help of a specialist will not be needed. However, it should be borne in mind that moisture getting inside the device will negatively affect its operation after some time.

How to make your iPhone waterproof

Before the release of the iPhone 7 with IP 67 protection, many proposals were made on how to make Apple smartphones waterproof. There was talk about a special coating, but protected cases became popular, rather than the mythical sprays that cover the body with a thin film.

If you don't want to spend money on a waterproof case, make your own. It will be difficult to make one as beautiful as in the store. But the main thing is not beauty, but efficiency. Therefore, protection options can be very interesting:

Using a plastic ziplock bag. Its walls are so thin that you can even control the sensor.
Plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Ideal for extreme water swimming. You won't be able to use your phone, but it will be protected from everything.
A condom will also be a good protection against water. The open part can be tied with a knot to prevent the smartphone from falling out.

The best way to protect your phone is to use a waterproof case. The cost of such accessories varies from $10 to $150. The best models can be found somewhere in the middle of this range: for example, for $72 you can buy the LifeProof fre iPhone 6 Case, which protects from shock, moisture and does not look bulky.

When choosing a case, pay attention to:

Manufacturer - choose between LifeProof, Joy Factory, Catalyst, Lunatik and Griffin.
Compatible with smartphone model.
Safety standard. Some covers protect against any mechanical impact, others only cope with splashes of water.

Design is also important, but the choice here is not so rich. The main purpose of a waterproof case is to protect your phone. If it is also beautiful, then you will have to pay extra for it.

Published by Moftech

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What are the weak points of moisture protection?

Now let's see what exactly is moisture protection in modern Apple smartphones.

Let's look at all the holes in the case through which liquid can get into the iPhone.

1. SIM card tray. Good fit of the parts and the presence of an additional seal allow the new smartphone to easily withstand contact with liquid in the area of the opening tray.

However, over time, the rubber seal loses elasticity and sometimes even stretches. In this case, each removal and installation of the SIM card turns into a painful procedure.

iPhones on the secondary market can be sold without this rubber seal at all.

2. SIM card tray pusher. This miniature element is also equipped with a protective gasket, which is pressed inside the housing under pressure and is restored after the tray is removed.

As a result, replacing the SIM card too often will lead to rapid wear of the seal both on the tray and in the pusher mechanism.

3. Physical buttons on the body (volume control keys, power keys and switching silent mode). There is also a rubber seal here, which contracts and expands when the buttons are pressed.

The keys are pressed much more often than the SIM card tray is removed, which means the gasket can begin to leak moisture faster.

4. Lightning connector. The hole from the inside is hermetically protected from the rest of the smartphone. In addition, there is software protection that can detect shorted contacts and disable potentially dangerous charging.

The user will receive a warning, after which they will have to dry the smartphone or ignore the warning and turn on charging immediately. If the iPhone is completely discharged after exposure to moisture, the software protection will not work and there is a risk of shorting the contacts when charging.

Even with this level of protection, ingress of salty seawater can lead to oxidation of the contacts with further problems.

5. Protective layer between the screen and the body. The composite design of the smartphone involves the assembly of two main modules: a frame with a back cover and a front panel with a screen. An elastic rubberized seal is installed between these elements.

What to do if your phone gets wet

If your iPhone gets wet from water, turn it off and try to dry it as much as possible. If any liquid other than water comes into contact with it, rinse iPhone with clean water, then wipe iPhone with a soft cloth and dry it as long as possible.

To dry your iPhone, gently tap your hand with the charging port facing down to remove any excess liquid. You can also place your iPhone in front of a fan to make the drying process easier.

Do not dry iPhone using an external heat source. And don't insert foreign objects, such as a cotton swab or paper towel, into the Lightning charging port.

Also, do not disassemble the device yourself. This may damage the iPhone's protective parts.

If the damage appears severe, have your iPhone repaired by a professional.

Is it possible to drop an iPhone 11?

Let us remember that at the presentation, Apple stated that the new iPhones have the most durable glass among all the company’s smartphones. However, the results of these tests clearly show that it is still not worth dropping them on purpose.

Interesting materials:

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Equally important, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is waterproof. Like more expensive versions of this phone, the S21 can withstand 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. This is an especially valuable feature given the Galaxy S21's lower price.

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Waterproof: IP68; maximum 1.5 meters for 30 minutes Display: 6.4-inch OLED (2400 x 1080, 90 Hz) Rear cameras: 50 MP main (ƒ/1.85), 12 MP ultra-wide (ƒ/2.2) Front Camera: 8 MP (ƒ/2.0) CPU: Tensor Battery life (hours:minutes): 8:13

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Android 12 - the long-awaited update
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Battery life may be short compared to 5G

Google went back to the drawing board with the Pixel 6, and the end result is one of the best phones you can buy right now. Not only are the cameras very good, but the hardware and software complement each other so well.

If anything, we have to say that the Pixel 6's battery life isn't the best. However, it's still a great phone with a good display. And with IP68 water resistance, you can be sure your Pixel 6 will survive if you drop it in water.

Read more - full Pixel 6 review