> "UNA is currently a non-submersible device due to its innovative modular design. So, swimming is not something we offer as an activity, nor do we advise it. UNA is IPX5 rated, which means it is splash & showerproof to a high degree."
If I had a dollar for every time some project that was ipx5 rated failed after getting caught in the rain one too many times...I'd have enough to buy another Garmin Fenix.
Yeah that's a non-starter, I don't ever wanna worry about that in a watch. And putting "designed for lifetime" next to it is just hilarious, where are you gonna trek with no water, from bathroom to kitchen ?
I would not buy a watch rated less than IP68/IPX-8, annd ideally it would be much more water resistant. Apple Ultra watches are rated to 100m of water which is well beyond that.
The watch I am wearing right now is a steel automatic that would have an IP69 rating as it’s rated to 150 meters of water depth.
The only IP ratings that I trust are on dive computers and dive computer watches (but I've read mixed results about Apple Watch Ultras for diving). The Garmin Descent Mk3i dive computer and smart watch is a solid performer.
Cue to younger me that discovered the difference between water resistant and water proof when I found out that my "7 melodies electronic watch" didn't survive after a few minutes in the swimming pool.
Will the UNA hint us with a little bit of fog on the window?
I too destroyed my "7 melodies electronic watch" back in the 80's by taking it for a swim at the beach .. man, that was so disappointing. Did get me on the CASIO Data Bank train, though ..
I got all the way to the order screen thinking it was IP68 because my eyes scanned over "UNA features a universal IP68 rated usb-c charging cable" and thought the port was IP68.
The CABLE is IP68? But the watch is IPX5? This is just up to the line of criminally deceptive false advertising. It's not criminal because the fine print, but what an absolute loss of trust. They know what they're doing. IPX5 is a no-go, which they know, which is why they're being so deceptive.
My first (and the original) Apple Watch, I won at the company Christmas party. My kid dropped it in the tree sap water under the Christmas tree and I didn’t find it for two days. After a lot of cleaning, it worked perfectly fine for years. I’m on the series 10 now. They’re very tough little devices.
Same for most Garmins (Fenix 8 even has inductive buttons to avoid worn-down seals), Coros, and recent Galaxy Watches (the way beyond IP5X part).
Note though that all these watches are water resistant, the seals degrade over time and water can get in. Even the Apple Watch Ultra, plenty of people who had it leaking after scuba dives or even after swimming.
You can usually improve longetivity by following manufacturer instructions (e.g. typically rinsing with tap water after pool or sea use, avoiding saunas/steam baths, etc.).
Yeah, and drop your iPhone, in a ruggedized case, into 3 inches of bath water for 5 seconds from a height of one foot and then realize apple's IP68 claim is laughable.
I wash my iPhone like every month. As I do with all of my phones for the past decade. Zero issues. I had a problem only once a long time ago, when I was in water with one of my Sony, but they replaced it immediately. No issue with the replacement.
Yes, this happens to people all the time. The seals that keep water out degrade over time. New phones are generally ok, but heat, dirt, detergent/salt in water, etc. wear them down until they are not water resistant anymore.
This is also why almost none of the manufacturers will fix the device under warranty when there is water damage, despite the IP rating.
Even Apple themselvers recommend against submerging and iPhone in water:
To prevent liquid damage, avoid: [...] Intentionally submerging your iPhone in water
The water resistance in these phones exist so that the phone hopefully survives when they get wet accidentally (heavy rain, pool drop, etc.). Not to shower with the phone, cleaning it by putting it under the tap, or doing underwater photography. Usually, it survives, until the seals fail.
Interesting. I've seen people wash their phones in just simple soap and I've done the same many times. I only use pretty minimalist castille soap though. Figured that would have the least chance of damaging the oleophobic coatings
My old iPhone 13 I used to take swimming daily in a salt pool, it was still running fine after 2 years of that, although the contacts in the lightning port did eventually corrode (now I can only charge it wirelessly)
I felt while running next to the sea and my iPhone bounced on the ground and ended up somewhere in a levee under water. We could call it until the battery ran out of power. So I guess it depends.
Exactly, it depends. I completely believe your experience. My wife's experience was instant bricking and Apple's warranty completely excludes liquid damage. If you have Apple Care+ they'll replace it for a fee.
If I had a dollar for every time some project that was ipx5 rated failed after getting caught in the rain one too many times...I'd have enough to buy another Garmin Fenix.