Water Damage to an Apple iPhone
An Apple iPhone suffers damage from contact with water. A trip through the washing machine or other serious dunking causes corrosion and deterioration to its sensitive parts. Because of this problem, Apple fits water sensors inside the iPhone; they clearly indicate water exposure. Although this normally voids the warranty, Apple has quietly admitted that, under some circumstances, your iPhone still has coverage.
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Water Damage
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The metal parts of the dock connector and headphone jack can corrode with exposure to water. Internal connectors and circuit boards also have parts that water can affect. Corrosion increases electrical resistance on metal surfaces and decreases the resistance of insulators. Water spreads contaminants on electronic circuits, interfering with their operation and causing long-term damage. Once exposed to water, vulnerable parts tend to deteriorate irreversibly.
Sensors
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The iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 have two sensors located inside the dock connector opening and headphone jack. If you shine a light into these openings, you can see a white or silver-colored dot. With exposure to water, the dot turns partially or completely red or pink. Once the dot changes color, it remains that way. Apple technicians inspect iPhones sent in for repair to check these sensors; if the sensors have turned color, this indicates water damage has caused problems with the phone.
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Warranty
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Apple's warranty does not cover water damage in the iPhone, so you will have to pay for repairs or the replacement of your phone if water exposure has caused problems. However, Apple has acknowledged that the water sensors may change color due to high humidity, such as is found in a steamy bathroom after a shower. If your iPhone has problems unrelated to water damage and humidity has triggered the sensors, Apple may cover the cost of repairs.
Repairs
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Repair of a water-damaged iPhone typically involves disassembling the phone and replacing the affected parts. If repaired soon after water exposure, a technician repairs the phone by drying it and cleaning the affected contacts. She also replaces the water sensors, if triggered. Deterioration is progressive, so if you delay having the phone serviced, the repairs become more extensive and costly.
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