One study suggests25% of smartphone usershave damaged their smartphone with water or some other kind of liquid.
Liquid penetrating a smartphone can affect the gadget in several ways.
Water resistance just implies the rig can handlesomeexposure to water before substantial damage occurs.
Samsung Australia has long-defended itself againstclaimsit misrepresents the water resistance of its smartphones.
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How resistant is your phone?
The water resistance of phones is rated by an Ingress Protection code, commonly called an IP rating.
Simply, an electrical devices IP rating refers to its effectiveness against intrusions from solids and liquids.
The rating includes two numbers.
Here are the various Ingress Protection ratings.
The numbering changes based on the level of protection.
Although, for the latter, manufacturers are responsible for defining the exact depth and time.
The populariPhone 12andSamsung Galaxy S21phones both have a rating of IP68.
The salt content in oceans and swimming pools can corrode your unit and cost you a hefty replacement.
MostAppleandSamsungphones come with a liquid contact/damage indicator strip located inside the SIM card tray.
This is used to check for liquid damage that may be causing a rig to malfunction.
An indicator strip that comes in contact with liquid loses its usual colour and becomes discoloured and smudgy.
Samsung and Apple phones have Liquid Contact/Damage Indicators.
Images via Samsung/Apple
A discolored strip usually renders your phone ineligible for a standard manufacturer warranty.
This notification only goes away once the port is dry.
New generation Samsung and Apple phones have a moisture/liquid alert notification.
But what should you do if this dreadful pop-up presents itself?
Fixing a water-logged phone
Firstly, do not put your phone in a container of rice.
Its amyththat rice helps in drying out your phone.
Youre better off taking it to a professional.
