AppleInsider Staff
One of the last remaining questions surrounding the Apple Watch was answered Monday, when Apple revealed that its forthcoming wearable would be rated to the IPX7 waterproofing standard.
Under the IPX7 designation, the Apple Watch will be able to withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. This means that a session in the shower, getting caught in the rain, or washing your hands will not cause damage, but prolonged exposure — such as swimming — would be harmful.
Apple says that users "can, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain, and while washing [their] hands, but submerging Apple Watch is not recommended." The water resistance rating applies equally to each model of the watch.
IPX7 is a common rating for small portable electronics that are designed for use outdoors, but are not considered "rugged." Many handheld GPS units, for example, carry IPX7 ratings.
Apple will begin taking pre-orders for the Apple Watch on April 10, with shipping slated to begin on April 24. The Sport model will start at $349, with the base price rising to $599 for the stainless steel variant and $10,000 for the luxe Edition version.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
137 Comments
"This means that [B]a session in the shower[/B], getting caught in the rain, or washing your hands [B]will not cause damage,[/B] but prolonged exposure %u2014 such as swimming %u2014 would be harmful." Nope. Would definitely be taking a huge risk of damage to wear an IPX7 watch in the shower.
That's a deal breaker for me.
That's a deal breaker for me.
You swim with watch every day?
Who the hell needs to wear their watch in the shower?
IPX7 should cover the watch for a :30 swim, or a bath, or a hot tub session, or a dip with the Polar Bear Club. I theoretically could wear on a light surf day, since the watch is not likely to be submerged below 3 feet, for any length of time, as well as sailing, kayaking, boating, etc.
The fact that Apple specifically has the following disclaimer suggests that they are prepared to refuse warranty service for water damaged watches, and that they made no real effort to water proof a watch designated as the "SPORT" model: "Apple Watch is splash and water resistant but not waterproof. You can, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain, and while washing your hands, but submerging Apple Watch is not recommended."
This is a deal breaker for me. The one place I could really have justified the Apple watch was for use at the beach and on the water. But if submerging it any longer than washing my hands is "not recommended" then I can't take the risk Apple will not honor the warranty.