Apple Did Not Mislead Customers About iPhone Water Resistance, Federal Judge Rules

A class action lawsuit that claimed Apple misled buyers regarding the water resistance of the iPhone was rejected by a federal court in the U.S.

Since the release of the iPhone 7, Apple has heavily promoted the water resistance of the iPhone in its marketing efforts, including the claim that certain versions can withstand depths of up to four metres for 30 minutes.

In the Southern District of New York, two plaintiffs from New York and one from South Carolina filed a complaint against Apple for making “false and deceptive” claims that enabled the corporation to charge “twice as much” for iPhones as “ordinary cellphones.”

Now, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote has found that while the plaintiffs had a plausible claim that some consumers may have been misled by Apple’s advertising, they had not shown any evidence that their iPhones had been harmed by the “liquid contact” that Apple claimed they could resist. A lack of evidence that Apple intentionally overstated its promises about its water-resistance for financial advantage was cited by the court as another reason why he found no evidence of fraud.

Additionally, it was determined that there was insufficient proof that the plaintiffs had relied on deceptive marketing claims to make their purchase of iPhones. The plaintiffs’ attorney said that his clients were unhappy with the ruling and that it has not yet been decided whether to appeal.

Despite the dismissal of this lawsuit, an Italian court fined Apple $12 million for deceiving buyers regarding the iPhone’s water resistance in late 2020. According to the court, Apple failed to adequately communicate that its water-resistance claims only apply under specified circumstances, such as during controlled laboratory testing using static and clean water, and not in the circumstances of typical customer usage. The commission also decided that it was improper for Apple to tout water resistance as a feature while refusing to provide post-sale warranty support if the affected iPhone models are damaged by water.

With an IP68 certification, Apple’s iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models provide the highest level of water resistance for an iPhone to date. This indicates that the equipment is resistant to water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of six metres (19.7 feet). The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 have an IP68 water resistance classification, which indicates they can withstand splashes, rain, and accidental water contact, although purposeful water exposure should still be avoided if at all feasible.

Apple claims that water and dust resistance are not always present and may degrade over time as a consequence of everyday use. It is important to be cautious when it comes to liquid exposure since Apple’s warranty does not cover liquid damage.