iPhone water resistance & misleading advertising 5 August at 7:05PM in Consumer rights 13 replies 632 views

moneytroll

I have an iPhone 12 pro which I took with me on holiday. I made some videos of the kids swimming in the river and got a few water splashes on it. It then turned off and wouldn't turn on. I took it to apple who first said they would fix it under Consumer law (it is just out of warranty) but they later changed their mind and said they wouldn't repair a water damaged phone. I explained that the phone is advertised as water resistant with an ip rating of 68 (I think?). it says it can be submerged 6 meters under water for 30 minutes!!! I never submerged it. It's annoying because I feel the advertising is misleading. if i knew it could be damaged so easily, I would never have taken it anywhere near the water. Anyway, i wanted to find out whether there is a case against Apple at all? (and where would I go to take it up). They mentioned two places: some consumer mediation type thing and the other one, i don't remember (trading standards maybe?) But I wanted first to ask here whether it's worth the time at all.
Thanks,
moneytroll

user1977

Given the reference to consumer rights I presume you bought it from Apple?

Sounds like "not as described" if it's not in fact water resistant - though the difficulty may be proving what happened to it one way or another.

Olinda99

If the 'water damage' strips are activated inside then either:

1. the phone was faulty - leaking if you will - easily allowing water in, or

2. it was submerged to the equivalent of 6m for 30m

DanDare999

moneytroll said:

I have an iPhone 12 pro which I took with me on holiday. I made some videos of the kids swimming in the river and got a few water splashes on it. It then turned off and wouldn't turn on. I took it to apple who first said they would fix it under Consumer law (it is just out of warranty) but they later changed their mind and said they wouldn't repair a water damaged phone. I explained that the phone is advertised as water resistant with an ip rating of 68 (I think?). it says it can be submerged 6 meters under water for 30 minutes!!! I never submerged it. It's annoying because I feel the advertising is misleading. if i knew it could be damaged so easily, I would never have taken it anywhere near the water. Anyway, i wanted to find out whether there is a case against Apple at all? (and where would I go to take it up). They mentioned two places: some consumer mediation type thing and the other one, i don't remember (trading standards maybe?) But I wanted first to ask here whether it's worth the time at all.
Thanks,
moneytroll

Whilst they have an IP68 rating Apple also say 

"Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance may decrease as a result of normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty, but you may have rights under consumer law."

moneytroll

DanDare999 said:

moneytroll said:

I have an iPhone 12 pro which I took with me on holiday. I made some videos of the kids swimming in the river and got a few water splashes on it. It then turned off and wouldn't turn on. I took it to apple who first said they would fix it under Consumer law (it is just out of warranty) but they later changed their mind and said they wouldn't repair a water damaged phone. I explained that the phone is advertised as water resistant with an ip rating of 68 (I think?). it says it can be submerged 6 meters under water for 30 minutes!!! I never submerged it. It's annoying because I feel the advertising is misleading. if i knew it could be damaged so easily, I would never have taken it anywhere near the water. Anyway, i wanted to find out whether there is a case against Apple at all? (and where would I go to take it up). They mentioned two places: some consumer mediation type thing and the other one, i don't remember (trading standards maybe?) But I wanted first to ask here whether it's worth the time at all.
Thanks,
moneytroll

Whilst they have an IP68 rating Apple also say 

"Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance may decrease as a result of normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty, but you may have rights under consumer law."

Apparently I didn't have those rights. 

moneytroll

Olinda99 said:

If the 'water damage' strips are activated inside then either:

1. the phone was faulty - leaking if you will - easily allowing water in, or

2. it was submerged to the equivalent of 6m for 30m

So what can I do?

moneytroll

user1977 said:

Given the reference to consumer rights I presume you bought it from Apple?

Sounds like "not as described" if it's not in fact water resistant - though the difficulty may be proving what happened to it one way or another.

Yes, anything I can do now? Apple have said categorically that they are not repairing it (and tried to sell me a new phone).

powerful_Rogue

Did you purchase direct from Apple?

Aylesbury_Duck

If you purchased from Apple, you could take them to small claims court for the cost of the repair. If you bought elsewhere, your consumer rights would be exercised against that retailer.

It will be down to the court to decide whether your claim is reasonable or not.  Or the retailer may offer something when they receive your letter before action.

sheramber

As you have had ot over a year you will need to prove it is  faulty.

mattyprice4004

Is there any damage - chips, cracks etc which would compromise the water proofing?