The number one reason to buy a Sony phone? They’re waterproof. It’s pretty much the only thing that Sony consistently does better. And now, Sony wants to make sure you forget it.
This week, the stalwart Xperia Blog noticed that Sony is significantly backtracking on its waterproofing claims. Simply put, Sony’s asking owners not to use their phones underwater anymore.
“Remember not to use the device underwater,” reads one line on Sony’s support site. “Do not use the device to take photos while performing any type of activity underwater,” reads another.
You mean I shouldn’t use a Sony phone the way your marketers have been selling them for years now?
Thanks to Xperia Blog for collecting all these examples.
The sad part is that, at least in our limited experience, Sony’s waterproofing actually works. I’ve definitely used an Xperia in the shower, and I’ve thrown one into a hot tub. I haven’t gone seriously swimming or diving with one—which would be well beyond the level of waterproofing that Sony claims, anyhow.
In case you’re curious, Sony says its own laboratory test is pretty tame:
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 metres. After 30 minutes in the container, the device is gently taken out and its functions and features are tested.
That doesn’t exactly inspire me to run out and buy a phone. I guess Sony has to cover its ass so that people who overdo it don’t eat up their profits with warranty claims and lawsuits.
[Sony via XperiaBlog, Engadget]
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