iPhone and iPod: Liquid Damage And The Apple Liquid Sensors
Our Head of Technical Hardware, Kevin Carter, who also happens to be the Lead Technical Editor for DxO Optics (see here – DPreview use this data for their camera/lens reviews), as well as a freelance Editor for the British Journal of Photography amongst many others, is currently taking a look at a select number of ‘waterproof’ smartphones. He forwarded to me an interesting article on Apple’s website regarding their liquid damage warranty.
It’s very interesting and something that I wasn’t aware of, although I am sure, as you are all aware that Apple do not give a liquid damage warranty, what you may not be aware of is the way they can detect if the device has received liquid damage. Apple have installed liquid sensors within their devices and these change colour and become activated if it becomes wet.
When Kevin’s article is published I will post a link and more will be revealed… stay tuned for that.
Take a look at the graphics below and you will see where the sensors are located – to read more about this, go to the Apple support page, here – it’s very interesting…
*Note: iPod nano (7th generation) and iPod touch (5th generation) do not have a visible liquid contact indicator.
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
3 Comments
Fabio D'Andrea
Genius bar employees check these sensors (with a special lens) everytime you bring the iPhone for help and/or support to their desks.
Even Sony has a similar warranty limitations on the waperproof (!) Xperia Z:
“In compliance with IP5/7 and IP5X, Xperia Z is protected against the ingress of dust and is water resistant. Provided that all ports and covers are firmly closed, the phone is (i) protected against low pressure jets of water from all practicable directions in compliance with IP 55; and/or (ii) can be kept under 1 metre of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP 57. The phone is not designed to float or work submerged underwater outside the IP55 or IP57 classification range and should not be exposed to any liquid chemicals. If liquid detection is triggered on the handset or battery, your warranty will be void.”
I have a 2 months old Xperia Z and the charging/USB port cover sometimes opens by itself.
What happens if one of the covers starts leaking due to being old and losing its rubber seal’s tightness?
Joanne Carter
I understand Fabio, I think if the seal deteriorates or if there’s any grit caught it in it, which prevents a complete seal, then you’ll be in trouble really.
Fabio D'Andrea
I agree with you Joanne!! I got the Xperia Z just because of that and just to try one of the latest Android smartphone on the market….. and I have to add that the quality of the camera really sucks…. but this is another story.