Don't use waterproof Xperia phones underwater, Sony says
The company was not available for comment at this writing. We’ll update this article should the company respond.
The waterproof explanation page for Sony Mobile Xperia phones now includes the following disclaimer, “Remember not to use the device underwater,” as first noted by Xperia Blog. That’s a surprising turnaround considering the company has advertised Xperia waterproof phones with images of people using their phones underwater.
Xperia waterproof phones typically have an IP65/68 rating, which means they are completely resistant to dust, can resist low-pressure water jet spray for at least 3 minutes, and can remain functional after immersion below a minimum 1 meter (3.28 feet) depth.
The problem seems to be that when Sony tested each device to achieve its IP rating the test wasn’t exactly rigorous. “Sony devices that are tested for their waterproof abilities are placed gently inside a container filled with tap water and lowered to a depth of 1.5 meters,” Sony’s waterproof page says. “After 30 minutes in the container, the device is gently taken out and its functions and features are tested.”
In practical terms this means Xperia waterproof phones can stand up to a heavy rainstorm, a non-water immersing web browsing session in the bath, or a run under the bathroom faucet. But all those shots of fun loving people taking videos in lakes and chlorine-laden swimming pools That's pushing it.
At least according to some pages. As Xperia Blog points out, other parts of Sony Mobile’s site still encourage you to dive underwater with your device.
For the most part, however, Sony warns you on the limits of its non-waterproof waterproof phones. Case in point is the company’s Xperia M4 Aqua. Dubbed the “waterproof camera phone for everyone” it has this under the fine print: “You should not put the device completely underwater or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water, or liquids such as drinks. Abuse and/or improper use of the device will invalidate warranty.”
The impact on you at home: If you have an Xperia waterproof phone you should heed Sony’s warning even if you’ve taken underwater shots with your phone in the past. Should it get damaged during such an excursion, Sony could refuse to help and point to its support materials that warn against taking them into the water. Sure, it has tons of marketing materials encouraging the opposite, but those images aren’t to be taken literally, it seems.