Want to write for iPhone Alley? We're hiring!

Home ›

iPhone 3GS Survives Dip In The Pool

Submitted by Edward Kirk on June 26, 2009 - 6:30pm.
in

iPhone 3GS can record video reasonably well in most circumstances, but as it turns out, it works pretty well under water, too. YouTube user KhenaKara was trying out his new iPhone 3GS's video recording capabilities when it slipped out of his hands and down to it's watery grave, or so he thought at the time. To his great surprise, not only was it still functioning, but days later it still remains fully functional! Best of all, he posted the video to YouTube (after the break).


WARNING: Please, please, PLEASE don't get your iPhone 3GS wet on purpose. We appreciate your willingness to test this one out for the greater good, but we're not going to do it with our iPhones and you shouldn't either.


[via CNet]

Our thanks to Michael Bower.

Submitted by Omar Jasso on June 26, 2009 - 6:53pm.
I'm calling BS because I just broke a $700 phone.

Submitted by thuggedout on June 26, 2009 - 7:03pm.
yeah I doubt that the phone is waterproof. He may of had it in a waterproof case or something, but its no way after that phone being submerge that it is going to keep on working.

Submitted by foamysking on June 26, 2009 - 7:11pm.
10-1 hes just verry lucky or has an awesome case

Submitted by kyarbro on June 26, 2009 - 8:07pm.
Total BS.

Submitted by macgeek112 on June 26, 2009 - 8:22pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyarbro View Post
Total BS.

The iPhone 3G was proven to be *almoast* waterproof by several independent organizations. Since the 3GS has the same case, it would be, too. It is more water-resistant because all of the cracks are designed to be as water tight as possible to keep dust out. If you left it underwater long enough, it will brake, though.

waterproof camera maybe...

Submitted by adampollack on June 26, 2009 - 8:34pm.
ancient technology = waterproof case for camera, or even waterproof digital camera with shock protection...
iphone would break in that condition i can almost guarantee
and no... i wont prove it with my own phone

Submitted by macgeek112 on June 26, 2009 - 8:40pm.
Okay, I didn't want to go here cuz everyone would say I was a liar (and they probably still will) but I have experience with this. About every two weeks, I give my iPhone a good scrub under the sink at full power. I don't even turn the phone off. And once, I even dropped my phone in some Coke in my car, and it still works. I don't have a case, only a screen protector.

Submitted by sfditty on June 26, 2009 - 10:16pm.
My 3G once slipped out of my pocket into melting snow. It was 3 or 4 hours before I noticed it was missing, and it was raining -- not drizzling, but raining -- the entire duration. I was shocked that it started right up, and it was completely unharmed (and is currently used for comparison testing my 3GS). I don't know if this story is true or not, I'm just relating my experience.

Submitted by macgeek112 on June 26, 2009 - 10:57pm.
My friend and I went for a hike at a ski resort last summer and found an original iPhone sitting on the ground. It had water spots all over it, and it wouldn't turn on. We went home and charged it for a day. It started right up, and we got the phone back to it's owner. He said that he had lost it that January.

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on June 27, 2009 - 3:48am.
A buddy of mine said he left his 3G (not 3GS) in a backpack outside and forgot it there during a thunderstorm. The phone was completely drenched and no longer functioning. The Apple genius told him to leave the phone off for a day, and then put the phone in the microwave for 10 seconds. Yes, that sounds like a horrible idea, I know, but apparently it's just long enough to remove any remaining moisture without causing a disastrous meltdown. He brought it back to school with everything except the camera in working order. Not sure if that's relevant or not, but take it or leave it.

could be true

Submitted by grafixgrrrl on June 27, 2009 - 4:56pm.
i left my first generation iphone out in a severe thunderstorm and my husband found it the next day on our table in the backyard. it was perfectly fine, and now is his iphone b/c i upgraded last friday to the 3GS.

Submitted by Beast on June 27, 2009 - 11:34pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Dunahee View Post
A buddy of mine said he left his 3G (not 3GS) in a backpack outside and forgot it there during a thunderstorm. The phone was completely drenched and no longer functioning. The Apple genius told him to leave the phone off for a day, and then put the phone in the microwave for 10 seconds. Yes, that sounds like a horrible idea, I know, but apparently it's just long enough to remove any remaining moisture without causing a disastrous meltdown. He brought it back to school with everything except the camera in working order. Not sure if that's relevant or not, but take it or leave it.
Uh... you can't put metal in microwaves. If a cell phone gets wet, you can put it in the oven at a very low temperature. My suggestion is to leave it in a car on a hot day, that should dry it out.

Submitted by macgeek112 on June 27, 2009 - 11:41pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beast View Post
Uh... you can't put metal in microwaves. If a cell phone gets wet, you can put it in the oven at a very low temperature. My suggestion is to leave it in a car on a hot day, that should dry it out.
Thats not true. You can't put metal in microwaves for extended periods of time as the microwaves will excite the metal particles and all hell will brake loose, but for 10 seconds it's no problem. People always overreact to the whole Microwave vs. Metal situation, anyway. Did it ever puzzle you how you microwave potatoes in tin foil?

Submitted by Shutterrelease on June 28, 2009 - 5:09pm.
Hang on, lemme grab my buddy's 3GS and I'll verify these silly claims.

Submitted by wizdomseeker on June 29, 2009 - 4:50pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macgeek112 View Post
Thats not true. You can't put metal in microwaves for extended periods of time as the microwaves will excite the metal particles and all hell will brake loose, but for 10 seconds it's no problem. People always overreact to the whole Microwave vs. Metal situation, anyway. Did it ever puzzle you how you microwave potatoes in tin foil?
I've never heard of that. I'd like to see that recipe.