Do not use your waterproof phone in shower: What is Steam?

Nowadays most smartphones are sold with waterproof certificate such as IP67 or IP68. Many users think that this certification provides absolute protection in every water environment. However, telephone manufacturers clearly indicate that these assessments apply to stagnant water. When it comes to steam, all these protections are insufficient.

Steam phones need some basic physics information to understand why they damage more than normal water:

• Hot steam penetrates much more easily to the internal components of the device — Waterproof certificates are rinsed and tested in cold water environments, the behavior of hot steam was completely different Tags
• The steam formed during the shower quickly raises the temperature around the phone — which leads to expansion of materials and micro cracks
• Ceramics and metal components show thermal expansion in different proportions, make it easy to leak steam into indoor spaces
• IP certificates are tested only in certain depth and pressure; high temperature change these values

Take your phone to shower, a technically risky choice. Although waterproof, it is not guaranteed to protect from hot steam. Manufacturers are therefore advised not to use devices in high humidity areas such as shower. Precision components such as screen, battery and microphone in the long run can be damaged.

Keeping your phone dry and cool continues to be the best protection method. Although waterproof is a great feature, it is not a solution for hot environments and steam.