The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge fared better on waterproofing tests compared to the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active. (Photo : Getty Images/David Ramos)
Samsung finds itself in a bit of a controversy following tests done on the Samsung Galaxy Active S7. Two units of the rugged smartphone were tested for the waterproofing capability and both failed miserably.
Consumer Reports conducted the water immersion testing on two Samsung Galaxy Active S7 units to see if the IP68 claims were reliable as advertised. The results of the tests ended up in disappointing fashion with both units ending up in unusable states.
The first unit tested ended up rendering visible screen damage. Green lines resulted and the touch screen went dead. Aside from those, moisture filled the camera lenses.
With due consideration to a possible defective unit, the team used another Samsung Galaxy S7 Active unit. Like the first one, the results were practically the same, the Chicago Tribune reported. The second unit ended up with a flickering effect and saw water creep into the camera lenses. Additionally, the SIM card was soaked following the second round of tests.
The team allowed both devices to dry up. The effort became useless since both devices eventually became unresponsive.
The results of the immersion tests come as a surprise considering the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge underwent the same kind of testing. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, the two devices passed their water immersion tests.
Samsung is aware of the water immersion test results on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active though the company has received few complaints. They claim that there could be a fair chance that the devices were not as watertight as the S7 Active was meant to be.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active was touted to be a rugged device that can survive up to 5 feet of water in 30 minutes. Consumer Reports director of electronics testing Maria Rerecich believes that it is likely that the problems affect only some of the units manufactured.
Unfortunately, it seems pretty coincidental that two of them happened to land on their end. Rerecich added that both units were purchased online. Until the reason behind the failed waterproofing tests are explained, Samsung has advised users to refrain from doing similar tests and away from potential water-related harm.
Check out the video below showing the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active water immersion test.
