How waterproof iPhone's really are ?

No iPhone is waterproof, and neither are all electronic devices. iPhones are water resistant, but even so that rating was achieved by testing done in perfect laboratory conditions, not the outside world where your iPhone is exposed to all sorts of water.

Water damage is fatal to an iPhone and cannot be repaired, the water spreads through all the parts and causes corrosion, and eventually the entire iPhone stops working. Apple won’t even service your iPhone now. You are looking at the purchase of a new iPhone.

No iPhone is waterproof. Even the water resistance rating is the result of controlled lab tests.

Going for a swim could have been harder in it rhsn those tests, especially if you went for a swim in salt water at a beach. Salt water is death to electronics.

Samsung phones have the same water resistance rating, IP68. The test to acquire an IP68 rating is a very specific test with water of a specific temperature, pressure (PSI) and specific time. From the successful completion of the test, the certification is earned. Part of the issue is the weather resistance deteriorates overtime. When the iphone was brand new it might have survived the exposure. But a 1 ½ year old iPhone has probably lost some resistance due to environmental factors, previous usage, storage conditions and other factors.

The IP tests are carried out in a specific way. For example, although IP68 states over 1m for 30 mins, it's a static test. If you move the phone through the water even a few inches below the surface it could easily experience water pressures greater than those of IP68. In reality, whatever the IP rating, the water resistance of most mobile phones is designed to save them if they are dropped in the bath for a few seconds, not moved about under water for extended periods.

JoeyBoomBaac wrote:

water resistant, not proof yes.. however mine wasn't even that haha.. my friend laughs and shows me pics from pool and water slide, same model and worked with no issues afterwards.. they took it in the shop for repair but told me straight up there is a very small chance of success

is Samsung better in this regard haha ? I may go that direction

Samsung phones are not water proof either. Note that each case of water damage is different and there is no way to determine which do and don’t cause it. It is subjective to many other factors such as water conditions, depth, temperature, pressure, tiny cracks, seal, wear over time and more.

They are not waterproof and never have been, any immersion is likely to result in a ruined phone. The IP resistance rating is a theoretical manufacturing standard, not permanent, not guaranteed

JoeyBoomBaac wrote:

Haha not that I would dare to do it, even with a new one. It was just an accident and subsequent disappointment. But I see your point.

You were unlucky. maybe 99/100 would have survived one dunking. They are manufactured with a view to that level of water resistance, but not 100% tested in plant as far as I know. The small print in all iphone adverts at the bottom of the page state not permanent, not guaranteed.

I had a Seiko watch with 30metre marking that steamed up. The retailer said "30m means splashproof only, you must have "got it wet, didnt you read the leaflet in the box". My country advertising standards and trading standards both supported the retailer as it was a known industry consensus. i.e. the wearables and portables market tells lies with small print caveats and that is OK.

Buy a Samsung if you wish, but if you take phones swimming with you, be prepared to buy replacements often.