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Water resistance is a must-have feature on a flagship smartphone these days and manufacturers will rarely miss an opportunity to show you images of their phones that survive big splashes.
But disappointing levels of waterproofing on Apple’s iPhones have now cost the company after Italy’s antitrust regulator AGCM fined Apple € 10,000 (RM49.3k) on November 30 for misleading claims of waterproof.
The authority disagreed with ads that the latest iPhone models were listed as waterproof (rated IP68 and IP67) and waterproof for up to 30 minutes at depths ranging from 1m to 4m.
Customers were not adequately warned that this could happen only during “specific and controlled laboratory tests” and “not under normal conditions of use,” AGCM said in a statement.
Apple was also fined for refusing to repair liquid-related damage under warranty, as the Italian watchdog called it an “aggressive business practice.”
On its website, Apple says that the latest iPhone models, starting with the iPhone 7 (2016), “are splash, water and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions.”
It also advises consumers to avoid “swimming or bathing with your iPhone,” “exposing your iPhone to high-pressure water or high-speed water,” and “intentionally submerging your iPhone in water.” Apple Italia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In general, the water and dust resistance of smartphones is considered to wear off over time, and impacts, heat, and prolonged use can wear away the rubber seals that insulate the internal parts.
It’s best for homeowners to view any promise of waterproofing as an added level of safety in the event of an accident, rather than a license to take underwater photographs. – dpa
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