Forums | MacLife

Bren · 2009-09-20 9:21 pm

Here's the $199 question. What does it take to set off the moisture sensor on an iPhone 3G? Immersion in water? Sweat from a vigorous workout? Using the phone on a humid day? The truth is somewhere on that continuum, and many iPhone users claim that their warranties have been unfairly voided when normal use set off the sensors.

This week, Michael Klurfeld wrote at Techgeist about his own experience. He discovered that while the external sensors of his phone indicated water damage, the more accurate one inside the phone did not. The problem for frustrated consumers is finding someone who will listen and open up their phones.

wellfleation · 2009-09-22 11:41 am

My 1st gen Touch went through the wash. That did it! Worked after a few days but Apple looked instantly. Just stick a keylight in the earplug hole. If it is red you are dead.

The good news is, after waiting a few or more days, my 1st gen still works 100%.

knobtwirler · 2009-09-23 12:53 am

The iphone is a much more delicate, fickle product. I would image that a high humidity climate could turn your "earplug hole" sensor pink. The scary thing is that this much moisture could also destroy your delicate little phone. The truth about the iPhone is, if you buy one, keep it in a pristine ziploc bag if you want to have it working for 6 months or more.

wellfleation · 2009-09-24 1:44 pm

knobtwirler wrote:
The iphone is a much more delicate, fickle product. I would image that a high humidity climate could turn your "earplug hole" sensor pink. The scary thing is that this much moisture could also destroy your delicate little phone. The truth about the iPhone is, if you buy one, keep it in a pristine ziploc bag if you want to have it working for 6 months or more.

That's rather dramatic.

pottymouth · 2009-09-24 5:18 pm

wellfleation wrote:
knobtwirler wrote:
The iphone is a much more delicate, fickle product. I would image that a high humidity climate could turn your "earplug hole" sensor pink. The scary thing is that this much moisture could also destroy your delicate little phone. The truth about the iPhone is, if you buy one, keep it in a pristine ziploc bag if you want to have it working for 6 months or more.
That's rather dramatic.

Ya think?

My original iPhone is still going strong after 27 months and I beat the smurf out if it. I never took it swimming, but it went with me everywhere else. I sold it to a buddy when I got my 3GS but he loves it and it even still gets about 2 days on a charge. shrug

knobtwirler · 2009-09-25 12:52 am

Lucky you! I have a new 3G S, and it already has the left side seam coming apart for some reason. And I don't beat the heck out of it. If you haven't had your phone near moisture, which is what this thread is about, taking it everywhere doesn't mean much in terms of making sure it works. If your phone that Apple can charge up to $700 for, depending on your current carrier status, suddenly doesn't work and isn't covered because of moisture sensors, then the drama sets in.

wellfleation · 2009-09-25 10:08 am

If you leave your iPod in your car (I leave my 3rd gen in my glove box all the time - during extreme heat and cold (hardwired into my cars system). Condensation has never been in issue on those cold damp mornings. Haven't checked the hole on that one though.

wellfleation · 2009-09-25 10:18 am

knobtwirler wrote:
Lucky you! I have a new 3G S, and it already has the left side seam coming apart for some reason. And I don't beat the heck out of it. If you haven't had your phone near moisture, which is what this thread is about, taking it everywhere doesn't mean much in terms of making sure it works. If your phone that Apple can charge up to $700 for, depending on your current carrier status, suddenly doesn't work and isn't covered because of moisture sensors, then the drama sets in.

I gave my 5-year-old my 1st gen that went through the wash. He treats it nice, but again, it works like a champion (he just doesn't like that it doesn't have external audio).

Also, after my 1st gen went through the wash, I went to the Apple Store for advice (at that point it just happened and had weird lines and bubbles on the screen which went away). The store manager told me the same thing happened to his iPhone and after blow drying it and letting it dry for a few days everything worked except for audio. He said that within a few more days he had full audio back even. Basically he was telling me to give it more time to dry out and things should be fine which he was right about.

knobtwirler · 2009-09-28 3:31 pm

Maybe I should send my 3G through the wash and then it will work again!

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-09-20 9:21 pm

iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

#2 2009-09-22 11:41 am

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

#3 2009-09-23 12:53 am

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

#4 2009-09-24 1:44 pm

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

knobtwirler wrote:

#5 2009-09-24 5:18 pm

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

wellfleation wrote:

knobtwirler wrote:

#6 2009-09-25 12:52 am

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

#7 2009-09-25 10:08 am

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

#8 2009-09-25 10:18 am

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

knobtwirler wrote:

#9 2009-09-28 3:31 pm

Re: iPhone moisture sensor lies, voids your warranty.

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