Tripped 3GS Water sensor last night

[uberamd]

It's a shame that Apple doesn't include a plug or that someone doesn't sell one for those of us who rarely use earphones.

They can be purchased.

I get that water and electrics don't mix - thanks for the headsup there....

However, I think it's piss poor that apple don't cover against it.

You expect Apple to cover water damage for free? Or are you saying there should be a cover over the headphone port? You're confusing with your wording.

Hey guys,

I found this thread today unfortunately due to a search. Namely I was searching for water damaged iPhone 3GS's and came across it. Because as you might of guessed, my phone took a dip today. It was a very brief dip and I snatched it out FAST but the damage is done.

The phone has a little bit of issues this morning when it happened, for example it thought something was plugged into the dock when nothing was, and later developed a single diagonal streak across the screen, but after hours of drying it and leaving it alone the phone seems to be functioning 100% best I can tell. You can clearly see that the dock connector water sensor has been tripped though.

So I'm in the same exact boat now as the OP. My phone is fine, but has a water tripped sensor. Now if I ever have another problem with the phone, I can't return it. Since I replaced about 4 original iPhones due to various hardware problems, this kind of worried me.

I think the post right above me has a very good idea about going in and telling them the situation and seeing what happens. Far as I can gather, I'd be no worse off for trying. Maybe my phone will never have a problem, but who knows. I admit I do like the peace of mind.

If the OP does try the above, I'd love to know how it turns out.

Is this a joke? You DROPPED your phone in water.... and you want your phone replaced (so the sensors can be reset), free of charge? Oh god, if people didn't support the OP, they certainly wont support you. How would you feel if you went into Apple with your phone which had an honest mechanical defect and NO tripped water sensors and Apple gave you a refurb back that showed no signs of damage, BUT the previous owner had dunked in water? Would you want to be the person who gets your old phone back as a replacement just with reset water sensors? I know I certainly wouldn't.

 

[thor79]

And what's with the assumption that the phone is certain to fail (by causes other than the "drop" of water) within the warranty period anyway? This isn't the Xbox 360 we're talking about...

that would be a bad assumption too...since even at the highest peak of the RROD crap...the estimates said it was affecting 1/3 of the 360s not all of them...it's a bad assumption either way.


I'm sure the guy is estimating how much water got in the jack at a very small amount but enough to clearly trip the sensor...give the guy a freaking break...

As for assuming the phone will need warranty service...yeah that's taking it a bit far...plenty of products never get returned within their warranty. That probably speaks more about his use than the quality of the product. The warranty that came with my 3G is almost up and I haven't had any issues requiring warranty service.

edit:

Adamation...dude...you are NOT in the same boat...you clearly have noticed some effects of the "dip"...the OP hasn't noticed anything like that...to him his phone is working perfectly. It's clear you phone HAS been affected by water...which is exactly the kind of situation Apple made that policy for. Suck it up and pay the $200 replacement fee.

 

[Adamation]

Wow, didn't take long for the *******s to reply to my post. I'll be careful about coming here for help or input anymore. This is why Apple disgust me so much, and why the fanboi's like you make want to hate them, which I borderline do. They just happen to make ONE product I like but they are a greedy company who will take your money any way they can.

Yes, I will HAPPILY attempt to return my phone and be sure and tell you about it if I do.

Apple will NOT be getting $200 from me, I promise you that. There products are overpriced as it is and they try to nickel and dime people to death. A good example is the charging dock. $30 for a piece of plastic. Ooh! Yes I know you don't need it, but it should be included in the box in the first place. It's just one example of thier crappy ways of doing things.

Yeah...great company. Keep on defending them.

 

[-aggie-]

Wow, didn't take long for the *******s to reply to my post. I'll be careful about coming here for help or input anymore. This is why Apple disgust me so much, and why the fanboi's like you make want to hate them, which I borderline do. They just happen to make ONE product I like but they are a greedy company who will take your money any way they can.

Yes, I will HAPPILY attempt to return my phone and be sure and tell you about it if I do.

Apple will NOT be getting $200 from me, I promise you that. There products are overpriced as it is and they try to nickel and dime people to death. A good example is the charging dock. $30 for a piece of plastic. Ooh! Yes I know you don't need it, but it should be included in the box in the first place. It's just one example of thier crappy ways of doing things.

Yeah...great company. Keep on defending them.

Hey, I wouldn't be so upset about the reaction. These guys have been arguing about this for days. Besides, there are those on these forums that could've been much ruder. You just need to have thick skin. Anyway, just try to ignore what you can and learn what there is to learn from these forums.

 

[LagunaSol]

Wow, didn't take long for the *******s to reply to my post. I'll be careful about coming here for help or input anymore. This is why Apple disgust me so much, and why the fanboi's like you make want to hate them, which I borderline do. They just happen to make ONE product I like but they are a greedy company who will take your money any way they can.

WTF??? You drop your phone in the soup and respond by venting your anger on Apple and its customers ("fanboi's")? Seriously, WTF???

Did you really expect anyone here to advise you on how to pull one over on Apple? Major face palm for you.

As for "overpriced" - have you priced a Blackberry or Palm Pre or WinMo device lately? Didn't think so.

 

[samcraig]

Is this common around here? When someone doesn't think the same as another one of them HAS to be a fanboi?

Can't two (or more) people just not agree without reducing one of them to a diehard?

Are do people (like Adamation) just have to resort to the lowest form of aguing - name calling.

 

[LagunaSol]

Is this common around here? When someone doesn't think the same as another one of them HAS to be a fanboi?

The word "fanboy" is the ultimate copout in a debate. It essentially means "I have nothing intelligent or rational to say to counter your argument."

 

[Adamation]

Fine, I take back the name calling.

I wont ever understand people defending a company like Apple though. What's it to you what other people do? I mean really? I know you like to think so, but we aren't hurting them in these little things we do.

Maybe I'm not meant to understand it. But still, I'll just do my own thing regarding my phone and hope for this best. Really sorry I posted here regarding this, it wasn't meant to cause anyone to have a fit. But like I said, I will attempt to see what Apple with do with my phone and I wont have a hint of guilt about it. I am at least going to be honest with them. If they don't do anything, I'm not at a loss currently since my phone is fine but down the road....who knows. With my past experience with hardware problem iPhones, I don't have high hopes this phone will last.

I don't have money to throw away to just give Apple another $200. The phone to begin with wasn't easy to buy, I sure as hell can't and wont pay for it again.

 

[LagunaSol]

I wont ever understand people defending a company like Apple though.

Please explain how Apple is in the wrong regarding your situation.

 

[samcraig]

Please explain how Apple is in the wrong regarding your situation.

It's simple. Don't you get it. If HE'S right - them APPLE has to be wrong. Because if Apple isn't wrong, it blows his whole evil corporation mentality out of the water.

 

[-aggie-]

The word "fanboy" is the ultimate copout in a debate. It essentially means "I have nothing intelligent or rational to say to counter your argument."

I'm still trying to figure out if it's spelled "fanboi" or "fanboy"!

Anyway, the poster originally seemed to just want to see what happened with the OP. I know his situation wasn't the same, but perhaps some people didn't need to come down as hard on him.

 

[thor79]

Wow, didn't take long for the *******s to reply to my post. I'll be careful about coming here for help or input anymore. This is why Apple disgust me so much, and why the fanboi's like you make want to hate them, which I borderline do. They just happen to make ONE product I like but they are a greedy company who will take your money any way they can.

Yes, I will HAPPILY attempt to return my phone and be sure and tell you about it if I do.

Apple will NOT be getting $200 from me, I promise you that. There products are overpriced as it is and they try to nickel and dime people to death. A good example is the charging dock. $30 for a piece of plastic. Ooh! Yes I know you don't need it, but it should be included in the box in the first place. It's just one example of thier crappy ways of doing things.

Yeah...great company. Keep on defending them.

yeah...I'm not a fanboi of Apple...not in the slightest. The policy sucks...but when you clearly fall within that policy (which YOU DO, your phone took a dip...in other words...submerged in water...the OP it's debatable according to his story)...you have to deal with it. Learn to be more careful with your phone next time or don't buy an expensive cell phone.

We admit when people screw up in regards to Apple's policies because those policies also affect us...when it's clear you don't deserve a free replacement...then it will ultimately affect us...other users...other customers of Apple...when it comes to next time we have to buy something from Apple. If you get your iPhone replaced when it shouldn't be because YOU SCREWED UP...then others have to pay for your mistake...how is that right? It's not...that's why when it is clear...we will admit Apple is correct according to their policy. We debate it when it is not clear...such as in the OP's case.

 

[uberamd]

Wow, didn't take long for the *******s to reply to my post. I'll be careful about coming here for help or input anymore. This is why Apple disgust me so much, and why the fanboi's like you make want to hate them, which I borderline do. They just happen to make ONE product I like but they are a greedy company who will take your money any way they can.

Yes, I will HAPPILY attempt to return my phone and be sure and tell you about it if I do.

Apple will NOT be getting $200 from me, I promise you that. There products are overpriced as it is and they try to nickel and dime people to death. A good example is the charging dock. $30 for a piece of plastic. Ooh! Yes I know you don't need it, but it should be included in the box in the first place. It's just one example of thier crappy ways of doing things.

Yeah...great company. Keep on defending them.

Nickel and dime people? Are you kidding? Go buy a Windows smartphone, a Google Android G1, or a Blackberry, drop it in water, then accuse those companies of trying to nickel and dime you. Go buy a Compaq laptop, drop it in water, and accuse Compaq of trying to nickel and dime you. I just can't believe I am hearing you right now. Ugh, no common sense.

 

[VenusianSky]

Cell phones are extremely prone to damage from daily use. The thing goes everywhere with you. If $200-300 is consider a lot of money for a phone, maybe you should reconsider spending that much again in the future. On top of it being $200-300, the iphones are mass produced and assembled in China. That pretty much gurantees a very large percentage to have imperfections and defects.

 

[LagunaSol]

yeah...I'm not a fanboi of Apple...not in the slightest. The policy sucks...

I'm curious - do other companies have differing policies? If I drop my Pre or my Bold in the drink, I'm entitled to a replacement at no cost to me? Everyone's warranties but Apple's cover accidental damage?

Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[lalctaylor]

Wow. This thread is amazing. First, someone else said it best. Apple doesn't screw anyone. We buy their products by choice. As a more recent convert, I decided to buy Apple because I found their products to be better than the alternative. I had a Blackberry, and switched to an iPhone because I enjoyed the product more. I had a Gateway notebook, and switched to a MacBook, even though it cost me over double the price of the crappy PC. Apple makes more expensive products. This is not new news. I don't care how much it cost Apple to make the computer. I paid for what I wanted.
Second- It shocks me that people would provide ideas on how to defraud Apple. Did it occur to anyone that Apple takes a tough stance on water damage because people try to cheat the system. A lot of rules have to be put into place because of DISHONEST people. It sucks that water got into your iPhone. It sucks that if the iPhone is damaged later, that the warranty will be negated. Apple did not get the phone wet. There are two choices. Suck it up and deal with it, or buy someone else's product. Then deal with their customer service department, see how that goes.

 

[thor79]

I'm curious - do other companies have differing policies? If I drop my Pre or my Bold in the drink, I'm entitled to a replacement at no cost to me? Everyone's warranties but Apple's cover accidental damage?

Enquiring minds want to know.

What the hell is your problem?

I was referring to the policy of denying all warranty coverage based on two water sensors...and I don't know of any other company with such a clear policy based on such easily accessible sensors. In fact I have no idea of the policies regarding water damage on other phones as before my iPhone 3G I've never had a phone that was more than $150...so I never cared enough to check into it (and I've never had a time where I needed to check into it). Apple's policy (along with the positioning of the sensors) does suck...if there are other company's with similar policies with similar positioning on the phone...then they suck too...I'm only singling out Apple because THAT IS WHO WE ARE DISCUSSING...get off my back.

 

[LagunaSol]

What the hell is your problem?

Um, trying to understand your point???

I was referring to the policy of denying all warranty coverage based on two water sensors...

But your response was quoting the other commenter who dropped his phone in the water. I'm not sure how the policy "sucks" when applied to the guy you were quoting.

Regarding the water sensor policy - if it were your company and your product, how would you protect yourself against people submersing your product until it's dead and then asking for an exchange because "it doesn't work anymore?"

I'm not saying Apple is right or Apple is wrong, but I'd love to hear how they should handle these scenarios.

 

[lalctaylor]

Regarding the water sensor policy - if it were your company and your product, how would you protect yourself against people submersing your product until it's dead and then asking for an exchange because "it doesn't work anymore?"

I'm not saying Apple is right or Apple is wrong, but I'd love to hear how they should handle these scenarios.

Good Question

 

[thor79]

Um, trying to understand your point???

But your response was quoting the other commenter who dropped his phone in the water. I'm not sure how the policy "sucks" when applied to the guy you were quoting.

Regarding the water sensor policy - if it were your company and your product, how would you protect yourself against people submersing your product until it's dead and then asking for an exchange because "it doesn't work anymore?"

I'm not saying Apple is right or Apple is wrong, but I'd love to hear how they should handle these scenarios.

Not saying the policy isn't the right way for Apple to deal with it...could probably be done a little better so it affects less people who clearly have fully functioning phones (example: the OP)...but the way it is now...it makes sense for Apple. For the consumer the policy still sucks though...I'm sure you'd find a few people at Apple that admit that too.

 

[LagunaSol]

For the consumer the policy still sucks though...

Agreed. Unfortunately it's the price we pay for living in a dishonest world. A handful of shameless turds ruin things for the rest of us.

 

[thor79]

Agreed. Unfortunately it's the price we pay for living in a dishonest world. A handful of shameless turds ruin things for the rest of us.

Indeed.

 

[penguy]

What the hell is your problem?

I was referring to the policy of denying all warranty coverage based on two water sensors...and I don't know of any other company with such a clear policy based on such easily accessible sensors. In fact I have no idea of the policies regarding water damage on other phones as before my iPhone 3G I've never had a phone that was more than $150...[snip]

Well, every phone I've had (dating back to the early 90's) has had some simple 'water sensor' to detect this sort of damage. And, at least to my recollection, each one of them voided their warranty based on those sensors. That included Motorola, Sony & Samsung.

Having said that, I've had a Motorola Star Tac that my 16 month old son (at the time) dumped in his bath...he was looking for bathtoys at the time! I flipped. Loved the phone, and it was a VERY expensive phone at the time...dried it out over several days and voila! it worked...and kept working for many more years, happily for me. Are their sensors easy to access? Most I've seen are in the battery compartment. protected from splashes, but not submersion.

Bottom line, any company has to protect itself from failures beyond their control.

My iPhone got wet while skiing when I pulled it from my pocket by the headphone cord and it came out, fell in the slushy snow and turned the sensor red. Did it kill the phone? no, but I'm sure I would have been SOL in that case if it needed service.

 

[Roller]

Re: headphone jack plugs

They can be purchased.

I would've thought so, but couldn't find one. Do you have a product or vendor name or website? Thanks.

 

[biker74]

They can be purchased.

You expect Apple to cover water damage for free? Or are you saying there should be a cover over the headphone port? You're confusing with your wording.

To clarify - No, wouldn't want a headphone cover, that would just be annoying. If you drop your phone in water, pint glass whatever, something you've done when perhaps being a little careless - yes, fair enough, but if its a couple of drops ie rain, that sets the sensor off - I would expect something done about it. Additionally, I dont have apple cover, but presumably you have to pay for it, and if thats the case I would expect the phone covered against water damage, whatever kind it was. My insurance covers against all kinds of water damage and any kind of phone insurance I have had in the past covers against this.