The iPhone 7 Finally Gets Water Resistant
Apple had long been a holdout on offering water resistance for its smartphones. As a result, water damage has been one of the leading causes of iPhone damage. Estimates vary, but typically put the numbers at 35% to 40% of all iPhone repairs. And with the bill for a water-damaged iPhone often hitting $299 or more through Apple, it’s easy to understand why iPhone fans were so excited when Apple announced the iPhone 7 is water resistant.
But if you no longer have to worry about water damage, why are case manufacturers still selling waterproof cases for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus?
Water Resistant Doesn’t Mean Waterproof
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are rated as being IP67 splash, water and dust resistant under IEC standard 60529.
That means the iPhone 7 can survive being submerged in just over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. There is also fine print about “water.” Water doesn’t mean salt water, or other liquids, just fresh water and under “laboratory conditions.” Furthermore, the water resistance is achieved by eliminating as many ingress points as possible (one excuse Apple gave for eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack), and by use of rubber gaskets around the remaining ones --and rubber wears out.
So water resistant the day you bought your iPhone 7 becomes slightly less water resistant over time.
If the LCI strip on your iPhone 7 turns red, prepare to pay for water damage (Credit: Apple)
Speaking of fine print, Apple also notes that liquid damage is not covered by Apple’s warranty. In fact, despite the fact that the iPhone 7 is water resistant, Apple still includes the infamous LCI (Liquid Contact Indicator) on the smartphone. If this strip turns red, Apple will deem any damage to an iPhone 7 to have been caused by liquid exposure, which means you are not covered by the warranty.
AppleCare+ does cover water damage, but you pay an extra $129 for the coverage, plus $99 for the repair.
That’s Why the Waterproof Cases Are Still a Thing
Apple’s IP 67 rating is why manufacturers still make waterproof cases for the iPhone 7, like this $90 Wetsuit for the iPhone 7 Plus from Dog & Bone. Even here, “waterproof” is used very loosely. This case --like most waterproof smartphone cases-- is IP68 rated. This means it can withstand being submerged for one hour in up to 6.6-feet of water. Dog & Bone says you can take this one to the beach, though, and you also get protection from drops and impacts.
Waterproof cases like the Dog & Bone Wetsuit add a little bulk, but beef up iPhone 7 water... [+]
$90 for a case may seem expensive, but it’s a lot less than paying for AppleCare+ and filing a water damage claim. If you want to learn more about this particular waterproof case, I reviewed the Dog & Bone Wetsuit a few months back.
Do You Need a Waterproof Case for Your iPhone 7
The nice thing about the iPhone 7 is that you don’t need to be concerned about it getting a little wet if you pull it out to take a photo in a light rain. You don’t need to worry about sitting by the pool and having someone accidentally splash it. Even if you accidentally drop it in the toilet --and a surprising number of smartphone owners do-- it should survive.
But your iPhone 7 is not waterproof. If you want to bring it to the beach, take a quick photo ducking beneath the surface of a swimming pool or use it in torrential rain, snapping it into a waterproof case is still a good idea. Otherwise, you’re liable to find yourself at a Genius Bar, whipping out your credit card and cursing that red LCI indicator.
