Ask a layman – who is out in the market to purchase a smartphone – about IP ratings, more likely than not, you’ll get to see a blank face. Yes, while general public wants their phone to be dust and water resistant, majority of them aren’t aware of terms like IP67 or IP68.
And I am sure a large number of those who purchased the OnePlus 6 after watching the following official video believed the device is water resistant (see at 0:51).
Saw that? “It’s Water Resistant,” the video clearly says.
So there should be absolutely no reason to doubt when an official video for a smartphone says its water resistant, and that too without a star (*), which is usually placed to give a quick idea that there are certain terms and conditions associated with the claim.
I, for example, took is just that – the OnePlus 6 is water resistant.
Except when I purchased the phone, I got to know it’s not. The Safety section in the manual that came bundled with the device claims just the opposite – it clearly says “the device is not water-resistant.”
As a proof, here’s the screenshot of that section (see the second-last point, click/tap to enlarge the image):
Ask OnePlus, and I am sure they’ll defend themselves by saying we never claimed any IP rating for the device. However, my point is, isn’t claiming water resistance in marketing material, and then denying it in the product’s user manual completely unethical?
Isn’t it like a company marketing their car as having airbags, but when in real-time they don’t work during an accident, the company just says we never claimed some XXXX certification for those airbags, and hence there was never a guarantee the airbags would work?
To give credit where it’s due, the OnePlus 6 may actually have a level of water resistance, but the fact is if you took the claim in that video on face value, and purchased the phone, and in future, if you damage your unit in water, then you won’t be able to seek any kind of free support/repair/refund.
The video has garnered over 5 million views until now. The number of those who will feel betrayed over this water resistance claim surely won’t be small.
Stay connected with us on Twitter (@PiunikaWeb) to hear about all related developments as and when they occur
Dr. Aparajita Sharma
1227 Posts
Currently, I am pursuing Ph.D (Psychology), and have been teaching the same for past four years. Coming to PiunikaWeb, I know it was a complete switch over, but the idea was appealing enough to put in all the effort it called for. My work primarily involves research. Oh, and yes, some of the photographs you see here are clicked by me. Overall, I am enjoying whatever I am doing, and hoping you’ll also feel the same reading all my articles. You can find me on LinkedIN.
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