Why has waterproofing become a 'requirement'?

[Retired Cat]

I think water proofing is important for 1 big reason: kids spill stuff at random and inconvenient times. Being resistant to liquid damage is a huge selling point for parents.

Who wants their $649+ device wrecked by a clumsy 2 or 3 year old?

 

[Paco II]

There is waterproof, and then there is *waterproof*. As a scuba diver that sees what the ocean does to gear that is designed specifically for the task, I would never take even a waterproof iPhone into the ocean.

It is expected for people for do it all the time, and if you live next to ocean, or on island, it is part of life, and underwater photo is also part of life.

 

[Paco II]

If this is the case, why is it only in the last few months (perhaps year) that the issue of waterproofness has become so prominent? If what you say is true, and I'm not saying it isn't, why hasn't there been an outcry sooner?

I think water proofing is important for 1 big reason: kids spill stuff at random and inconvenient times. Being resistant to liquid damage is a huge selling point for parents.

Who wants their $649+ device wrecked by a clumsy 2 or 3 year old?

 

[JamesMB]

There is waterproof, and then there is *waterproof*. As a scuba diver that sees what the ocean does to gear that is designed specifically for the task, I would never take even a waterproof iPhone into the ocean.

Exactly! But there will be some that will take it scuba diving, just as there will be some that will put it in the dishwasher.

 

[azentropy]

If this is the case, why is it only in the last few months (perhaps year) that the issue of waterproofness has become so prominent? If what you say is true, and I'm not saying it isn't, why hasn't there been an outcry sooner?

I don't think there has been an outcry. It is just being talked about more as other higher "wants" have been fulfilled (larger screens, more storage, more memory, NFC). Also the rumor of the removal of the headphone jack has spurred the thought that then it may be waterproof.

 

[Paco II]

The previous poster implied that waterproofness is a major selling point, higher than the wants you refer to. So I am simply wondering why this hasn't been a bigger deal, like it is now, sooner?

I don't think there has been an outcry. It is just being talked about more as other higher "wants" have been fulfilled (larger screens, more storage, more memory, NFC). Also the rumor of the removal of the headphone jack has spurred the thought that then it may be waterproof.

 

[Sun Baked]

Be nice to have stuff that ends up in your pocket, maybe survive the accidental trip through the washing machine.

Would suck to lose the phone and the car keys at the same time.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I think it's more "liquid" proofing.

Lots of people use their phones around food and drink. Same people tend to spill those drinks on or around their phones.

Waterproofing would imply to those people that they don't have to worry that they spilled their latte on their phone at Starbucks, their soda on it at McDonalds, or anything like that. And yes, around the pool as some find themselves accidentally tossed in by 'friends' from time to time.

They can be careless and not suffer the consequences (or so they might think).

But labeling it "liquidproof" thereby implying that that same segement of the customer base is careless and accident prone (they are) would alienate those customers. So, the manufacturers simply call it waterproofing.

My take on it at least.

Nailed it. It is all about protecting the phone from accidents or getting caught in the rain, etc.

 

[jasie02]

There is waterproof, and then there is *waterproof*. As a scuba diver that sees what the ocean does to gear that is designed specifically for the task, I would never take even a waterproof iPhone into the ocean.

There is scuba dive, and there's scuuuuuuuiba dive. You could go down 3 meter or 20 meter.

How deep do you normal dive?
Sounds like you are familiar with diving.
For me, love take picture on short distant freedive.

Added: by the way, I should be clear since I normally do freedving, no tank. So a waterproof camera down to 10meter normally is good for taking pictures.

 

[Paco II]

Depth is not the issue. It's the salt. And of course diving is not a place to bring delicate items.

There is scuba dive, and there's scuuuuuuuiba dive. You could go down 3 meter or 20 meter.

How deep do you normal dive?
Sounds like you are familiar with diving.
For me, love take picture on short distant freedive.

Added: by the way, I should be clear since I normally do freedving, no tank. So a waterproof camera down to 10meter normally is good for taking pictures.

 

[Retired Cat]

If this is the case, why is it only in the last few months (perhaps year) that the issue of waterproofness has become so prominent? If what you say is true, and I'm not saying it isn't, why hasn't there been an outcry sooner?

I suspect that the availability of Lifeproof and other waterproof cases has made this feature a lower priority on the "want" list. However, it would be nice for customers to not have to buy an expensive case in order to have liquid protection. Waterproof cases also tend to be bulky, and the button/switch/port covers can detract from the user experience.

 

[azentropy]

The previous poster implied that waterproofness is a major selling point, higher than the wants you refer to. So I am simply wondering why this hasn't been a bigger deal, like it is now, sooner?

I don't think you understood my post. The "wants" I referred to have been meet, so waterproofing just climbs up the list. I still don't know of this "outcry" for waterproofing you speak of. Sure there are some people who really really want it, but to most it is a nice to have. As others mentioned Samsung even removed it as they found it wasn't a big selling point.

Even today if you did a poll of the feature you most want to see in the iPhone 7 if you listed a) longer lasting battery b) thinner with smaller bezels c) 3gb RAM d) certified waterproofing (say to 3m) e) 32gb storage standard and 256gb storage option f) higher screen resolution - I'd still think waterproofing would probably be 4th or 5th at best.

 

[HEK]

Scuba diving with iPhone, .......really.
Get yourself a camera with dedicated waterproof housing. Any waterproofing the phone might receive is meant for the drop in puddle or the infamous toilet dunks. It's not going to withstand multi meter pressure dives in salt water.

And for all you beach goers, your screen is gonna love all that sand. Be sure to take that beach towel and rub your screen with it nice and hard. Get those water drops and greasy finger prints wiped off.

 

[jasie02]

Depth is not the issue. It's the salt. And of course diving is not a place to bring delicate items.

But how deep did you "normally" dive?

Added: Do you know the different between tank vs free dive, and which one you did most?
IMHO, waterproof light weight phone camera is perfect for free dive.
[doublepost=1453056902][/doublepost]

Scuba diving with iPhone, .......really.
Get yourself a camera with dedicated waterproof housing. Any waterproofing the phone might receive is meant for the drop in puddle or the infamous toilet dunks. It's not going to withstand multi meter pressure dives in salt water.

And for all you beach goers, your screen is gonna love all that sand. Be sure to take that beach towel and rub your screen with it nice and hard. Get those water drops and greasy finger prints wiped off.

How often do you freedive?
Personally I don't carry a lot of stuff when freedive, a light weight camera/phone combination will be great, just from my own personal experience.

 

[2298754]

It's not a requirement. Would be nice though... Especially since Samsung doesn't do it any longer.

 

[0007776]

Do people need their iphones in the shower or pool? I

It's not intended for regular use in the water, more so if you get caught out in heavy rain, get pushed into a pool, or spill a drink on your phone it won't be ruined.

 

[freeskier93]

It's not intended for regular use in the water, more so if you get caught out in heavy rain, get pushed into a pool, or spill a drink on your phone it won't be ruined.

Thing is, evidence suggests, the current generation of phones are already water resistant enough for these kinds of things.

I've used my 6S+ plenty of times in the rain taking pictures, never worried about it. Rain and spilled drinks definitely aren't going to instantly ruin your phone.

Someone already posted to video of submerging their iPhone in a bowl of water, I'd be pretty confident in saying an accidental dunk in the pool isn't going to ruin your iPhone either.

 

[jasie02]

It's not intended for regular use in the water, more so if you get caught out in heavy rain, get pushed into a pool, or spill a drink on your phone it won't be ruined.

If Apple could make AW "swimming (see utube)/washing(see Apple AW support page about how to clean crown) proof", why they could not make iPhone "swimming/washing proof"?

It is possible for Apple to develop "swimming/washing proof" iPhone today, in term of technology which already existed in AW, Apple feel there is need for "swimming/washing proof" or not is different story.

 

[CTHarrryH]

I agree...I see many more "my phone is broken because I dropped it" threads than "my phone is broken because it got wet" threads.

Honestly, It was a while ago and I can't remember but it was probably something on MacRumors. It involved the fact that Apple has (had) sensors in the phone that would tell if phone had gotten wet and therefore wasn't a warranty issue. Probably a report about issues brought into Apple - people who crack their screens probably don't try and get fixed under warranty.

 

[Jimmy James]

I've accidentally dropped my phone in water before. It would be nice to not have to worry about that.

I sometimes need to make a call or take a picture in the rain. It would be nice to not have to worry about that.

I have kids!

I tend not to bring my phone to the beach. It would be nice to not have to worry about that.

And yes it would be nice to take my phone in the tub. I use it as an ereader.

For me it's mostly to prevent the threat and realization of water damage. Not so much about actual submersion usage.

 

[xmichaelp]

I personally don't care, my phone doesn't go near water.

What would be much more useful is if MacBook keyboards were water proof.

 

[Paco II]

This thread has deviated a bit from my original intention. Of course making the phone water proof would be useful, but why is it suddenly so important and so talked about? Did the rumors feed this, or did the rumors sprout from this? And in either case, why now? Has Apple really taken care of all those things that were once more important?

 

[barondebxl]

Not at all. Samsung got rid of its waterproofness. It won't become a "requirement" until Apple adds it to its iPhone, then Samsung will bring it back

It's actually rumored to be back on the Galaxy S7 which mean Apple would be the one "copying" it. Splash

 

[Andres Cantu]

It's actually rumored to be back on the Galaxy S7 which mean Apple would be the one "copying" it. Splash

Is that true? That rumor must not be very popular, since it's not all over the internet.

Even if the S7 didn't bring it back, Apple would have still copied it from the S5. Splash splash.

 

[barondebxl]

Is that true? That rumor must not be very popular, since it's not all over the internet.

Even if the S7 didn't bring it back, Apple would have still copied it from the S5. Splash splash.

Yep. And yes it is on the rumors of the S7. As well as bringing back the sd card and a bigger battery. Rumors though