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Apple Watch Proves 'More Waterproof Than Anticipated' in New Test

Traverse said:
I've found that Apple products generally do handle water well. Even the iPhone was able to be submerged for 30-45 seconds without and signs of damage.
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The typical failure point is not after a single submersion, but after repeated submersions over time.
 
swarmster said:
How is this 'better than expected' or an example of 'underpromise, overdeliver'? The IPX7 rating is good for submersion to at least 1m for at least 30 minutes. Sticking it in a bucket for 5 minutes isn't exactly strenuous.
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Did you just ignore the swimming pool?
 
Very encouraging! Will need to read more about this before making the DIVE myself.
 
But... this is exactly what you'd expect from IPX7 water resistance.

You don't need to fear water. Even full submersion will not affect the watch.

However, you do want to minimize exposure because, over time, exposure will reduce the water resistance. That is, water -- and the stuff that goes along with it like salt, oil, detergents, acids, chemicals, etc -- will break down the watch.
 
penajmz said:
Who takes showers with their current watch on? I sure don't.
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Lots of people, me included.

Interestingly, many of the people who don't, seem to think nobody does. I've even seen people arguing that the people who do it, shouldn't.

The world is a big place. Be glad we aren't all the same.
 
Nothing underplayed about it. Watch is certified for an IPX7 rating, which means that what they guarantee and stand behind. That doesn't mean at 30 minutes and 1 second it or at 1.01 meters it will break.
 
freediverx said:
From the Apple Watch User Guide:

“Water resistance is not a permanent condition and Apple Watch cannot be rechecked or resealed for water resistance.”

“Submerging Apple Watch is not recommended.”

“Try to minimize exposing Apple Watch to these substances and follow the instructions below in the “Cleaning and care” section if Apple Watch comes into contact with them: Soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, and any liquids other than fresh water, such as salt water, soapy water, pool water, perfume, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, or solvents.”

“The following may affect the water resistance of Apple Watch and should be avoided: Dropping Apple Watch or subjecting it to other impacts. Submerging Apple Watch in water for long periods of time. Swimming or bathing with Apple Watch. Exposing Apple Watch to pressurized water or high velocity water, for example, showering, water skiing, wake boarding, surfing, jet skiing, and so on. Wearing Apple Watch in the sauna or steam room.”

Every time you expose your Apple Watch to the conditions listed above, you may be weakening its water resistance and increasing the chance that it will leak and fail in the future. Even watches that are explicitly designed for swimming and diving must be periodically inspected and seals checked and/or replaced. This is not possible with an Apple Watch.
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When I had a Samsung, I had their Gear watch that was supposed to be waterproof. It wasn't! Went through three of them by the time I finally decided to return the watch and get rid of the phone too. After going back to Apple (which I will never leave again), I tried the Pebble watch. It's also supposed to be waterproof (even has a swimming app in the app store). It wasn't either! Within two weeks of wearing it in the pool, it died. Tried a second watch with the same results. Moral of the story, these watches cannot be waterproof if they have open ports unless they sacrifice sound quality (see lifeproof cases). The pressure exerted by the water, even at one meter, will permeate any port. In the shower or rain, there is no pressure. Overall it sounds to me like the bathroom is a good place for the charger. By the time you're done and dressed, your watch will probably be fully charged. And unless you get thrown off a boat, you probably have time to take off your watch before going swimming.
 
I'm not gonna do it.... But I want to know how the sport would fair in a steam room. After a good solid work out, I like to sit in the steam room for 10 minutes. I usually take off any gadgets in fear the steam would kill them.
 
c1phers said:
I think I'm going to get the square trade warranty for my sport watch. $10 more than the Apple Care+, but coverage is a little more than Apple Care. AND it does cover immersion. :)
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SquareTrade isn't exactly known for great service.
 
Can't wait for the "smashing with the hammer" video as promised in the video... :D
 
Not sure if I would test the watch under water ... but I gave one to my little one and he played with it and was fairly rough with it ... it survived!

(He liked his pirate watch better ... as the apple watch did not have a pirate watch face ... :)

apple-watch.jpg
 
What we didn't see is if the watch is still good an hour later. I have had my fitbit get washed in the clothes washer, look fine when I pull it out, and then die an hour after the cycle as the water penetrates into the electronics.
 
Dwalls90 said:
"Under promise, over deliver."

With everything except pre-orders.
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You should never do either of those things. Promise. Deliver. Anything else can cause you to lose control of a customer's expectations. They'll always expect you to over deliver. They'll always expect you are under promising. In the end, you can also lose business by under promising to other companies who promise real world results with accuracy.

Incidentally, the man who coined the phrase has been doing speaking tours for the past 10 years to do damage control. He learned exactly what I said above and is trying to pass that on to anyone who will listen.
 
This is really great to hear. I won't be showering or swimming with mine but I'm glad it will be safe in the rain and while doing dishes.
 
freediverx said:
It's great to see the Apple Watch can sustain some limited exposure to water. But stories like this oversimplify water resistance and may send the wrong message to users. This will encourage folks to perform activities with their watch that may eventually result in water resistance failure.

The Apple Watch is designed to withstand light and infrequent exposure to water. Every time you expose it to the conditions warned against in the user guide (including swimming), you may be weakening its water resistance and increasing the chance that it will leak and fail in the future.
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How do you know this... Generally curious.
 
So when all these Apple Watches start showing condensation or water problems, will it be called.....

WATERGATE!!!!!!!?
 
reevans said:
Pretty much any modern electronic device will survive these tests. The real test is after a few weeks, will it not have corroded and start failing.
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Really? Pretty much any? Let's see, virtually any smartphone, all of the current generation of gaming consoles, televisions, PC parts, even fitbits, will die in a bucket of water in just a few seconds let alone 5 minutes.
 
Neat...... but that's only after an hour or two...

users seriously shower with their watch "on" ? Can't take ya eyes of a screen for 5 mins. ?

Good to know this, and maybe Leo Laporte, even through his iPhone soaking was a dud..... maybe he should do another test with this one...:)

Everyone will probably now hit the pools all of a sudden.....
 
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