Sony smartphones and tablets and waterproofing have become synonymous with each other over the last few years. It’s almost the norm rather than an exception for a Sony smartphone to have Ingress Protection rating. IP67. IP68. Name it. They’ve almost always been there. The company has even touted these capabilities extensively in product launches and marketing materials all over the world and even on its own press materials hosted on its various web portals.
However, Sony is playing it safe. The company has silently updated the support pages on its website several times in the last few months as new products with IP certification become available. First it was the Xperia Z3+/Xperia Z4 and now it is the yet to be availed in the market, newly announced Xperia Z5. Sony seems to be keen to insist while its devices have been tested and found to conform with the various IP ratings they are said to have, such tests occurred under controlled environments (laboratories) and should not be taken as proof that users can go around dipping their devices in water.
These measures by Sony may be precautionary so as to avoid future litigation in instances where users mess up their expensive Xperia devices and blame the company for their own recklessness. Sony has in the past insisted that for the waterproof capabilities of its Xperia devices to be experienced, users needed to take several precautions including making sure all flaps are closed as required and that the device does stay immersed in water for longer periods than specified and deeper than recommended. Such actions lead to one voiding their device warranty. With the recent turn of events, even running to the courts won’t be of help because they warned you beforehand. Next time you go taking underwater selfies, you’re on your own.
