Sony releases statement regarding change in waterproof guidelines

Just last week, people noticed that Sony made a change in their policy regarding their devices’ waterproof feature. They advised users to not use their Sony Xperia devices underwater, even if a lot of their ads featured people taking pics beneath the swimming pool. Now, Sony has already released an official statement, saying that the policy change is more about advocating “sensible usage” of smartphones rather than change in warranty terms, as some people were suspecting.

Sony assured users that the “warranty terms provided for our products remain the same” and that the change in policy is more of an advocacy for users to be more careful in using their devices and is just an illustration of how to “protect devices in day-to-day usage”. The statement also says it is their responsibility to help customers by providing tips on how they can protect their devices and keep their warranty with them.

The IP68 rating by definition means that the device is dust tight and protects devices against “complete, continuous submersion in water”. But the change in policy emphasized that the devices passed this standard under laboratory conditions, which is not the same as actually dunking it in water or taking pictures underwater. The problem is that Sony’s previous marketing collaterals all hinged on the idea of water, and so users became confused when the new warranty policy, or rather the marketing of this policy, came out.

But Sony said that they are currently updating their marketing collaterals for their affected Xperia devices to reflect this new “attitude” towards using smartphones in water. So that means say goodbye to underwater picture parties in all their future ads.

VIA: Xperia Blog