Who Needs a Waterproof iPhone?

[GeekishlyGreek]

Due to all the rumors about one of the potential reasons the headphone jack might be removed was to perhaps waterproof it better, it lead me to wonder how many people (whether you agree with the headphone jack being removed or not) actually felt that the iPhone being more waterproof is a welcome addition, in comparison to how many people are either indifferent, or strongly against it. So I'm doing this one as a poll, and feel free to leave posts on your general opinions here. Remember, we are all different, so there are no wrong answers, just what is right for you personally, so please keep it friendly. Just nice to know what everybody thinks.

In case you were wondering, I actually have quite mixed feelings about it, and they have changed somewhat from time to time, so I have enabled this poll to allow you to change your answer in case you ever do so too. (Would actually be interesting to see as an experiment what you answered before reading all the posts and opinions, if your answer changed yourself after reading the various different posts from the various different viewpoints that are likely to start appearing on here). -So feel free to follow up and let us know if your opinion changes, and if so, how.

For me personally, when I first heard about iPhones perhaps being more waterproof, I was probably more in the camp of "B) I wouldn't need to use it often, but I'd still welcome the feature". I could imagine uses for it, but I probably could have just as easily answered "C) I don't mind either way, so no matter what happens, this is certainly not a deal-breaker".

The second time I changed my opinion about this question was when I went to a water park in Barcelona. For that, we had to buy a special waterproof wallet thingie which they sold in the park itself for this purpose (one of these in case you were wondering https://www.amazon.com/SEAWAG-CASE-CERTFICATE-BLACK-UNISEX/dp/B00WTCEFH6 ) Of course, wishing I didn't have to fork out the 20 euros just for this purpose, I found myself suddenly wishing more that iPhones were waterproof anyway (but also came to the conclusion that water resistant wouldn't really cut it in this situation, and would have to have been truly water PROOF to the extent that many of the divers watches are). If not, I'd have probably used the waterproof wallet anyway. In all fairness to the thing, it did actually solve the waterproofing problem quite well, and had zero issues with leakages. However, there were indeed both advantages, and also drawbacks of this method. On the pros side, I did find the waterproofing extremely effective, and then I got thinking about how having the strap for an activity like this was actually way better than having a waterproof iPhone, because even if the iPhone was 100% waterproof, you'd still need some way to carry it somehow. (most swim trunks or bikinis usually aren't equipped with pockets, and even for guys who have swimshorts that do have pockets, they don't usually have zippers, so an iPhone would really easily slip out, and that could certainly ruin your day). One of the major drawbacks and niggles to the waterproof wallet method though was that while TouchID still worked flawlessly with it, and the touch screen worked pretty well, the buttons on the top and sides were a bit of a pain to press. Another disadvantage is this is probably not the way I'd want to waterproof it if (say) my purpose was for using my iPhone in the shower. (for that I'd want the actual iPhone itself to be 100% waterproof). So this led me to the assumption that, while I would never do that now, I probably would start doing stuff like that if it truly had that capability. So at this point, my opinion has changed to "A) This would be extremely useful in my daily life, and would greatly welcome it."

The next time I changed my opinion was when I heard the rumor that the headphone jack was being removed. Now this really annoyed me! At first I thought it was because they were just trying to make the iPhone thinner, and while the waterproofing ability might have potentially softened that blow, for me this was certainly not a big enough reason to do it. So at this point you could strongly count me in the "D) Would be nice, but never at the expense of removing the headphone jack!" category. I'd still say that's by far the closest to how I feel about it actually, as I really do use that headphone jack alot, and if the iPhone was never waterproof, I think I could live with that way way more. However, that's on;y because the waterproofing thing was not one of those majorly essential things for me, and if removing the jack meant something more useful was in place that I strongly cared about more, then my answer would probably be different. I have mentioned in a previous post about the rumor that wireless charging was one of those things that I'd probably forgive them for removing it in that case, as for me this is something that I've secretly craved for a long time. And after thinking about that, I did find myself thinking that perhaps there were reasons I might get over it after all. I just don't think that waterproofing was one of them.

But that was just me rambling on. You don't have to share the same opinion as me (in fact, this post would be pretty pointless if you all did), So now it's your turn....

What does all this mean to you? And have you got any other insights and usage suggestions to share that you think may even change my mind? I'd love to know what yo think!

 

[Menel]

Apple feigns paying tribute to the fitness crowd. But this is one of the first major 'action' that shows their 'words' mean nothing.

We have to buy waterproof cases (to ward off sweat, rain showers). Or stick phones in zip lock baggies, to put in cycling jersey pocket / run belt.

Apple Watch isn't even officially rated for swimming...

 

[willmtaylor]

TL;DR. Not even gonna lie. (I did mark your poll though.)

It would be welcome, but not a huge deal to me.

 

[AE14]

For someone who is quite active, I would welcome it. I would not have to buy an overly large case and I could still main the phones safety.

 

[DallasManic]

i dont

 

[MrWoofus]

Aquaman?

 

[ipedro]

TL;DR. Not even gonna lie. (I did mark your poll though.)

@GeekishlyGreek, here lies an example of why knowing how to use paragraphs is important. Most people who encounter that huge block of text won't read it. I didn't either.

You can take the advice constructively and learn to write with proper paragraph breaks or ignore it and your efforts in writing are in vain because your thoughts are never going to be read.

Now, back on topic: waterproof phones don't mean that people are going to go swimming with them, just that they won't have to worry about splashing water, using it in the rain or taking it for a run where sweat is a concern. Of course, it's a welcome improvement. The headphone jack is going away for other reasons.

 

[DallasManic]

i am sure , lifeproof need nothing

 

[urkel]

Most people don't know they need a waterproof phone until they spill water on it.

 

[GeekishlyGreek]

@GeekishlyGreek, here lies an example of why knowing how to use paragraphs is important. Most people who encounter that huge block of text won't read it. I didn't either.

You can take the advice constructively and learn to write with proper paragraph breaks or ignore it and your efforts in writing are in vain because your thoughts are never going to be read.

Now, back on topic: waterproof phones don't mean that people are going to go swimming with them, just that they won't have to worry about splashing water, using it in the rain or taking it for a run where sweat is a concern. Of course, it's a welcome improvement. The headphone jack is going away for other reasons.

Fair comment. I do tend to get carried away when I write. Out of interest though, how did you vote?

 

[ipedro]

I voted B). I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to wet my iPhone but I won't be concerned using it in the rain (which I already do for short periods).

Our most used and most valuable device should be waterproof. There are just times in your day when you're interacting with water and it shouldn't be a death sentence.

 

[GeekishlyGreek]

I voted B). I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to wet my iPhone but I won't be concerned using it in the rain (which I already do for short periods).

Our most used and most valuable device should be waterproof. There are just times in your day when you're interacting with water and it shouldn't be a death sentence.

True. In all honesty though, I've never had an issue with it getting wet. Have used it in the rain lots of times, and no problems whatsoever. (I do often have nightmares though about accidentally dropping it in the toilet!) lol.

 

[Adoniram]

The primary reason I got the Galaxy S5 was that it was water resistant and had a 16MP camera. I have taken it kayaking, hiking in the rain, on boat rides, and use it when my son is playing in the pool or with the hose in the backyard. It's been phenomenal having a water resistant phone that takes good pics with me wherever I go, whatever I'm doing. No, it's not handy every day, but for the days and times when I really want a picture to capture that memory, I've been very happy that I bought a phone that won't get damaged by a splash or two.

And now, that'll happen with a phone that has lower pixels, but in my opinion, much higher quality images overall. I am very, very happy that Apple finally put this into the iPhone, and it's the primary reason I'm switching. I always knew the picture quality was outstanding, but if I couldn't take it out kayaking, it was pointless to own. And I'm not going to use a ginormous waterproof case.

In terms of issues with headphone jacks, I typically use a Sound Blaster bluetooth-enabled DAC to power my Sennheiser headphones... so I never use the 3.5mm jack anyway! Built-in DAC's are horrible.

 

[ipedro]

Precisely.

I was in Turks & Caicos recently and I never took my AppleWatch off. I went snorkelling with it and I used it in the pool to control AppleMusic on the pool side speaker. Imagine that freedom with the iPhone directly.

There was an instance when I was out kayaking in the ocean at sunset and saw the most incredible view. The photographer in me didn't give a crap if I ruined my iPhone. I paddled furiously, ran to shore, grabbed my iPhone and paddled back and got the picture. But once the adrenalin stopped, I was terrified of flipping the kayak and ruining my $1,000+ iPhone 6 Plus.

That's not a worry any longer.