Sony changes stance on waterproof phones: Do not use underwater

[CaptainGazzz]

If you head over to Sony Mobile’s support page on water and dust protection, you will find several statements on Sony’s new policy including: “Remember not to use the device underwater” and “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.”                           These new disclaimers first appeared for the Xperia Z3+/Z4 back in May 2015. At the time, the new wording surprised us, but we thought it might only be targeted for that handset for some reason. However, when the same disclaimers were used with the Xperia Z5 launch it became clear that Sony is issuing new limitations on its waterproof devices

 

This is really weird. The Xperia-line of phones is advertised to work underwater. Sony advertised the Z3 as 'fully waterproof'. Some ads show people taking pictures underwater. Now they discourage using it underwater. I think this is almost 'false advertising'.

 

Source: link

 

 

EDIT:

Sony did state that one of their phones was waterproof according to the article:

 

Take the Xperia Z3 as an example, Sony Mobile’s launch press release touted the device as having the “highest level of waterproofing” and that it was a “fully waterproof” smartphone.

[The Pizza Thief]

-snip-

 

I didn't know they advertised their phones as being water PROOF, because there is a HUGE difference between being water proof and water resistant, when I bought my Xperia Z3 tablet, they advertised it as being water resistant and specified the rating and a few examples of how you could wet the tablet without issues. People should investigate what the Rating of their phones is and look up what that means.

[theninja35]

I didn't know they advertised their phones as being water PROOF, because there is a HUGE difference between being water proof and water resistant, when I bought my Xperia Z3 tablet, they advertised it as being water resistant and specified the rating and a few examples of how you could wet the tablet without issues. People should investigate what the Rating of their phones is and look up what that means.

If the picture above was shown by Sony, I would count that as water-proof, and therefore false advertising.

[CydiaDash]

F-you Sony. Make your god damned mind up

[Homicidium]

No, it's simple, if they advertise their phones to be (somewhat) waterproof then they have to fufill that claim!

 

False advertisement is actually a crime in some or rather most places of the world.

[CaptainGazzz]

I didn't know they advertised their phones as being water PROOF, because there is a HUGE difference between being water proof and water resistant, when I bought my Xperia Z3 tablet, they advertised it as being water resistant and specified the rating and a few examples of how you could wet the tablet without issues. People should investigate what the Rating of their phones is and look up what that means.

 

It has a IP68 rating, which should mean that it is submersible for 30min and waterproof.

[The Pizza Thief]

If the picture above was shown by Sony, I would count that as water-proof, and therefore false advertising.

Wrong, depending on the rating of the phone it can be 1 meter deep under water for 30 minutes, AGAIN being water resistant doesn't mean it is water proof. 

 

As an example take IP67, the 6 (scale of 0-6) means it is Dust tight meaning no dust will get into the phone at any time. the 7 means it is water resistant up to 1 meter of water, it is guaranteed that no water will get into it as long as the phone is not submerged any deeper than 1 meter, and not for extended periods of time. 

 

So, answering your question, yes it can be advertised as being able to get into a pool take a photo and get it out of there and dry the screen out, no problems with that.

[TheMcSame]

Waterproof? I thought they were water resistant.

[Alimony]

I think this is more of Sony saying they aren't covering water damage in their warranties than anything else.

[The Pizza Thief]

It has a IP68 rating, which should mean that it is submersible for 30min and waterproof.

 

I didn't know the phone was rated IP68, even better, it can go a little over 1 meter below surface for about half and hour, and it is not water proof, it resists water up to the point it is rated for.

[The Pizza Thief]

Waterproof? I thought they were water resistant...

 

Finally! Thanks for being the only one besides me

[kameshss]

It's not waterproof guys, Its Water Resistant.

[Jeklar]

If you look at the specifications of the three new phones you can still see that they're rated to the same IP65/68 as the older versions (eg. Z5 Compact Specs, Z5 and Z5 premium). IMO these phones are just as waterproof as they ever were, some Sony lawyer just said "Hey, nonono you can't market it like that any more, we'll be liable if someone goes snorkeling with their phone and it leaks." 

[Trik'Stari]

Sounds like false advertising, probably is false advertising, but it won't matter because some lawyer probably included something somewhere making it not false advertising.

[CaptainGazzz]

It's not waterproof guys, Its Water Resistant.

 

Finally! Thanks for being the only one besides me

 

I think this is more of Sony saying they aren't covering water damage in their warranties than anything else.

 

Sony did state that the Xperia Z3 was waterproof. 

[Snaeb_aka_Beans]

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-z3/features/

Z3 says waterproof and dust resistent on their page.

[themaniac]

and here i am without a phone and not caring, this doesn't matter to me since i plan on getting a windows phone

[The Pizza Thief]

Sony did state that the Xperia Z3 was waterproof. 

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-z3/features/

Z3 says waterproof and dust resistent on their page.

 

Here:

 

Snap away with a waterproof smartphone

 

With the waterproof Xperia Z3, you can take pictures with the best smartphone camera while swimming in fresh water for up to 30 minutes. You can even dive down to 1.5 metres with it. Just remember that all the covers for the micro USB port, the micro SIM slot and the memory card slot must be firmly closed.

[Godlygamer23]

It's not waterproof guys, Its Water Resistant.

For the record, my camera from Sony is advertised as being water-proof and yet it can only go so deep and only for so long. That sounds like water-resistance to me. Arguably, NOTHING is water-proof. Everything has limits and therefore can only take so much water pressure. In that case, everything is only water-resistance.

[sirtoby]

There was probably some idiot who took the phone into the sea and is now sueing Sony.

[DarkBlade2117]

and here i am without a phone and not caring, this doesn't matter to me since i plan on getting a windows phone

Woo Windows Phone master race!

[brownninja97]

i think they are saying this because some people are being stupid and going nuts with their phones dropping them in waterfalls and expecting them to tank it.

[6God]

Sea salt and chlorine will nuke rubber seals, hence why Sony so very clearly states that their new phones with the flapless USB covers can only handle mild soakings, not full on dunking. I guess you could go for a dunk in fresh water, if you wanted to. 

[CaptainGazzz]

-snip-

I have stated that the phone is  waterproof and that was wrong, I based this on the claims of Sony.

However, the point that I am trying to make is: Sony advertised their phone as 'waterproof' and then continue to completely discourage users to use the phones underwater. I find that a company shouldn't make claims that their phones are 'waterproof' and show the devices underwater and then discourage user's to use them underwater.

[That Norwegian Guy]

Well, it is waterproof isn't it. Saltproof and chlorine-proof though?

 

Still false advertising.