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[Q] Xperia Z - muffled sound - YES, I know it needs to dry

Hi all,
My Xperia has not been in water since 4 days ago, but my sound is still muffled.
It got a bit better over the last few days, but it is still pretty bad.
I tried everything, a stream of water (and drying it!), laying it in rice, salt...
Even using a hoover like in one video on youtube.
I still have my warranty, so taking it to get repaired is an option, but I would prefer if there is a way to clean it. I don't believe that the guys can repair the phone in such way that I could be waterproof again and I doubt that I will get a new phone if I bring this one in.
For you to get an idea how bad it is, I recorded a video with my TF101 and I measured the loudness using a Samsung Galaxy Mini and Sound Meter from the Play Store.

lujo_zgb said:
Even using a hoover like in one video on youtube.
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Click to collapse
Fail. Anything suggested from this point forth is pointless imo as you may have seriously damaged your speaker, so would just get it straight to a Service Centre.

XperienceD said:
Fail. Anything suggested from this point forth is pointless imo as you may have seriously damaged your speaker, so would just get it straight to a Service Centre.
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Click to collapse
True. But never rule out that the climate might not be appropriate for drying it, but yeah, anything besides letting it dry on it's own and rebooting that you listed (besides the rice which seems.... odd....) will actually damage the speaker. I live in AU where it's fairly dry and all i have to do after my phone's been submerged for 10-20 mins is let it dry. personally, i play games that'll strain the phone to heat the internals up, usually helps it dry faster. Otherwise try a hairdryer on low to heat up the phone physically.

To make things clear, the hoover was not on full power. It was not even on 30%. I used it to get maybe some lint or dust out, not to dry it off. Also tried the hairdryer on slow speed and medium temperature, but it didnt help.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

my phone had the same fault.
Sony (Sbe Ltd repair centre) couldnt fix it so they sent me a replacement
...which ive just received back covered in scuffs, scratches and with dirt surrounding most of the screen.
****ing ridiculous. Sorry, but it's stupid.
edit: mine was without any water contact at all... so maybe different fault

Galaxy S4 Active - is it really waterproof?

USA Today have an article (here) where the reviewer was testing the S4 Active. Right after he dunk the phone underwater, the phone have WATER DAMAGE:
Shortly after I took the phone for a dip (in not very deep water), the display went kaput — at least for several hours. It lit up just long enough to indicate that I had power, but I couldn't actually keep the display on and use it.
Roughly a day later, the screen came alive again, but the phone was still exhibiting finicky behavior, presumably because of water damage. The touch-screen was messed up and the device acted as if headphones were plugged in when they weren't. If this were my actual phone, I'd return to the store for a replacement.
I just got the S4 Active and thought I am not planning to take the phone for a long underwater activities, I am concerned that I am getting a phone that have a very weak water resistant feature.
Not sure if this is because the reviewer didn't "properly" close the battery cover / USB port, but I have seen S4 Active review and Samsung Event videos where the phone was submerged in water for a long time and it still works.
PS: Have ANYONE tried to dunk their phone in the water for testing?

My phone has been in a pool, lake, bathtub, rainy weather, all since I got it. I trust it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2

I'd like to think that reviewer just got stuck with a bad unit.
But this begs the question: Is water damage covered under warranty? Either by AT&T or Samsung? Surely they should back up their "vacation-proof" phone..

aceownstheworld said:
My phone has been in a pool, lake, bathtub, rainy weather, all since I got it. I trust it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first one went into the pool just fine. The unit I have now I am scared to expose it. On the top between the glass and bezel there is a small gap... above the in call speaker.... I'm afraid that water will pour in through that... Can you look at yours and see if yours is like that?

He probably didn't press down the back cover correctly.
Sent From My Galaxy S4 Active using a Tapatalk 4

joshuadjohnson22 said:
My first one went into the pool just fine. The unit I have now I am scared to expose it. On the top between the glass and bezel there is a small gap... above the in call speaker.... I'm afraid that water will pour in through that... Can you look at yours and see if yours is like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean between the earpiece and the bezel at the front? I don't see any gaps, at least not with my naked eyes.
On the back, bottom part near the speaker, I don't see it either. Trying to press to see if there is a gap, so far none.
What makes you "scared" on the phone that you have now?

robstunner said:
He probably didn't press down the back cover correctly.
Sent From My Galaxy S4 Active using a Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a sticker on the back cover that provide a warning for the user to PRESS DOWN on the middle of the cover, underneath the LED.
I always do that, but I never hear a "click" or any indication that the back cover is now PROPERLY covering the phone to prevent water leakage.
Well, I DO hear the click when pressing on all sides, but that's normal like my Galaxy Note.

lanwarrior said:
You mean between the earpiece and the bezel at the front? I don't see any gaps, at least not with my naked eyes.
On the back, bottom part near the speaker, I don't see it either. Trying to press to see if there is a gap, so far none.
What makes you "scared" on the phone that you have now?
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Click to collapse
Yeah on the front top. I just think water will easily get in the phone...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

I've used this phone below the 1 meter mark and the only bad side effect I get is the microphone not working well for a bit afterwords, which happens really at any level of exposure. This phone is pretty safe in water if you use it correctly.

mattpayne92 said:
...the only bad side effect I get is the microphone not working well for a bit afterwords...
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Click to collapse
That is pretty bad. I mean, I am not going snorkeling and take a phone call while floating on the shore, but if somebody calls me and I CANNOT talk to them because the microphone does not work, that is a big problem.
I am actually wondering how does the phone protects the microphone, earphone and speaker? There are holes there and water can go in. I was considering the Xperia Z and so far the only problem with water issue is the microphone jack - the phone will think that the jack have a headphone but it's only water. However, that is easily fixable by drying it out. I.e. use tissue or something that goes inside the jack.
Microphone though, the holes are to tiny to "dry" with a tissue or something.
BTW, is the microphone STOPS working completely or it works again after a FEW DAYS?

Maybe I can ask those who read this thread to tell me if:
A). You HAVE tested your phone under water (splashing it, dunking it in a bowl of water)
B). What ISSUE you have after you did the above? Phone dead, microphone stops working, etc.
I am trying to get a sense if this is just a specific batch issue (I can replace the phone) or design issue (no matter what, the issue still exists).

If it really was then it would have lifetime warranty. The fact that it only has 1 year warranty like most of the phones tells me that after year 1 be ready to say bye bye to your baby
Sent from my SGH-I337

lanwarrior said:
Maybe I can ask those who read this thread to tell me if:
A). You HAVE tested your phone under water (splashing it, dunking it in a bowl of water)
B). What ISSUE you have after you did the above? Phone dead, microphone stops working, etc.
I am trying to get a sense if this is just a specific batch issue (I can replace the phone) or design issue (no matter what, the issue still exists).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Decided to take mine in the shower to test after it got here.
I let the showerhead spray onto the phone, both front and back. Nothing wrong.
Like other people reported, the speaker volume gets significantly lower when wet and goes back to normal within a half hour. Also if the headphone port gets water in it it will errenously display that "headphones are connected" which blowing into the port will fix.

thatbigmoose said:
Decided to take mine in the shower to test after it got here.
I let the showerhead spray onto the phone, both front and back. Nothing wrong.
Like other people reported, the speaker volume gets significantly lower when wet and goes back to normal within a half hour. Also if the headphone port gets water in it it will errenously display that "headphones are connected" which blowing into the port will fix.
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Click to collapse
This is useful! BTW, you haven't test submerging the phone, have you?

maldinimi said:
If it really was then it would have lifetime warranty. The fact that it only has 1 year warranty like most of the phones tells me that after year 1 be ready to say bye bye to your baby
Sent from my SGH-I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it won't, because all things mechanical / electronics break downs eventually - nothing last forever. Even mil-spec stuff does not have a "lifetime" warranty.

lanwarrior said:
This is useful! BTW, you haven't test submerging the phone, have you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't submersed it yet but there's videos on YouTube with submersion and it brings about the same issues I discussed.
Higher water pressure will clog the mic membrane and make you sound distant in phone calls.
Maybe I'll build up the courage to dunk it tomorrow.

I did the dunk test the night after I got it by fully submerging it in a cup of water...worked just fine afterwards...although I was showing a friend that didn't believe that I had a "water proof/resistant" phone by putting it in the sink and letting water run over it and had an issue with the phone thinking the headphones were plugged in.only did it for about an hour...weird thing was that it didn't start doing it until about 2 hours after it had been wet. Although once it fully dried I haven't had any issues at all with it. Hope this helps.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using XDA Premium HD app

lanwarrior said:
That is pretty bad. I mean, I am not going snorkeling and take a phone call while floating on the shore, but if somebody calls me and I CANNOT talk to them because the microphone does not work, that is a big problem.
I am actually wondering how does the phone protects the microphone, earphone and speaker? There are holes there and water can go in. I was considering the Xperia Z and so far the only problem with water issue is the microphone jack - the phone will think that the jack have a headphone but it's only water. However, that is easily fixable by drying it out. I.e. use tissue or something that goes inside the jack.
Microphone though, the holes are to tiny to "dry" with a tissue or something.
BTW, is the microphone STOPS working completely or it works again after a FEW DAYS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe leave the phone in the sun for a few minutes to dry? Blow on it? Several things help get the water out. But honestly, how often are you going to go swimming with a phone and then take a call immediately afterwards? I'd be thrilled that my phone didn't fry after it fell in the pool, I could care less that the microphone doesn't work for an hour - that's what bluetooth headsets are for.
Anyways, I've had my phone submerged in a sink with running water twice now, the only issues I've found is that after removing the back cover there is water on the outside of the rubber gasket, which looks normal, but I would recommend taking the back off to dry it out after exposed to water.

When i took mine into the pool I made a phone call right after and they said I sounded funny so i blew in the mic and it cleared the water out and they could hear me fine....

geoff5093 said:
But honestly, how often are you going to go swimming with a phone and then take a call immediately afterwards?
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Click to collapse
Not very often, but when I DO need to take that call, it will be a big problem. This is a phone after all.
I don't think I will purposely take the phone for a swim, but the reason I bought the Active instead of the S4 is because of the water/sand protection and want to confirm it works. If it doesn't, then I'll exchange the phone to a normal S4 because it's thinner.
However, based on your response and others, it seems it does offer those protection to a certain degree and the ONLY issue is that the mic may get covered with water and cause the caller not being able to hear me, but this is easily fixed QUICKLY.

Water damage - Microphone

I've had my One for nearly a year now and it looks like new as ive looked after it well until 7 days ago when it made its way down the toilet as it was flushing.
I put it in an airtight container full of rice for a few days. Everything is working fine apart from the microphone. Callers say they can't hear me. If I switch to speaker phone then its fine.
Question to those in the know, is this water damage likely to be permanent? Anyone have experiance of the same?
It will obviously be out of warranty now, maybe HTC will fix it for a reasonable price?

mwatson said:
I've had my One for nearly a year now and it looks like new as ive looked after it well until 7 days ago when it made its way down the toilet as it was flushing.
I put it in an airtight container full of rice for a few days. Everything is working fine apart from the microphone. Callers say they can't hear me. If I switch to speaker phone then its fine.
Question to those in the know, is this water damage likely to be permanent? Anyone have experiance of the same?
It will obviously be out of warranty now, maybe HTC will fix it for a reasonable price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Water damage is permanent, yes, but theres always that chance that something might click and your mic will start working perfectly again.
You got lucky, since you cant take these phones apart or remove the battery, ive always felt as though water damage would completely destroy the phone.
Rice is a good way to soak up water, but its not entirely effective. I would put the phone infront a fan for a couple of hours, or even leave it outside (away from sunlight) for some time.
Download a mic testing app from the playstore, and see if it picks up any sound. I would call HTC and see how much they would charge to fix this issue. You can always just stick to using headphones or the speaker phone while in calls, and you never know, the mic might just start working again.

Phone died after water got inside the usb port flap

I just got my phone 3 months ago, this is my first ever high end smartphone that my parents bought for me (costs $800 here in PH). Now, we went for a swimming, my phone is inside my pocket, then my cousin suddenly pushed me to the pool. My phone's flap (USB/micro sd part) was already not working because the rubber that holds it got removed. Then my phone died, I panicked for minutes, didn't know what to do, since I'm not in our home and I don't have any drier or anything. I tried to turn on the screen, it went back but it blacked out again. I removed the memory card and my sim card, I tried to blow it then let dry in the towel. After an hour, I put it in a bowl of rice to let it moist for two days as suggested by my Aunt. After like 2 hours, I checked my phone, it was warm (37-40 C maybe), it was still on, and it produce a sound for like every 5 mins. I turned it off by clicking the power button and the up volume together, it vibrated for three times, I put it again in the bowl.
Just right now I checked my phone, I turned it on. The Sony logo just appeared by a second then black, after that the android logo came up. When it got to the lockscreen for like 2 secs the screen suddenly shut down!
OMG what am I gonna do now? Is my phone already dead? This is so expensive my parents are gonna kill me . I need some help right now. I cant go to any service center of Sony right now because it's Holy Week here in the Philippines. Do you have any suggestions for me? (Sorry for my very long story and bad english)

Your phone is dead.

You fried it lol just power it off for minimum 24 hours in rice or silica gel and Do Not use a drier lol
Why would you power it on after only 2 hours?

Yes, do that for more than 24 hrs and pray. A lot.
Had this once with a S3, but it was never completely under water, just totally soaked from heavy rain while hiking. It worked until I smashed the screen two times in a short row.
As a sidenote: even if the Z3c is promoted as waterproof, I'd never take it close to any situation where it could get totally wet. Even if hiking and inside a case and my pockets I always put it in a ziplock bag if rain is to be expected...

I'm happily playing ingress on my phone in the pouring rain. No case, no ridiculous zip lock bag.
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app

tudork said:
I'm happily playing ingress on my phone in the pouring rain. No case, no ridiculous zip lock bag.
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We got a bad ass here #thuglife

Howlbeck said:
even if the Z3c is promoted as waterproof, I'd never take it close to any situation where it could get totally wet. Even if hiking and inside a case and my pockets I always put it in a ziplock bag if rain is to be expected...
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Click to collapse
That's the most ridiculous thing I've read all day.

Return for guaranty.
It's supposed to be waterproof.

Mazzeru said:
Return for guaranty.
It's supposed to be waterproof.
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Click to collapse
Obviously not with the flaps open...

luizlee86 said:
Obviously not with the flaps open...
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Click to collapse
From what he said, they were closed, but defective. Which happens if you open them regularly to charge / connect to pc.
Defective flaps are also a motive to return. The phone is IP65/68. As such, it shouldn't be damaged in any way from continuous immersion before 3 meters.
Obviously if bootloader is still locked. (even so, I think a lawyer could force them to take the phone under warranty. The eula is quite vague about "modifying the phone")

Mazzeru said:
From what he said, they were closed, but defective. Which happens if you open them regularly to charge / connect to pc.
Defective flaps are also a motive to return. The phone is IP65/68. As such, it shouldn't be damaged in any way from continuous immersion before 3 meters.
Obviously if bootloader is still locked. (even so, I think a lawyer could force them to take the phone under warranty. The eula is quite vague about "modifying the phone")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it is waterproof and a defective flap is a reason to get it fixed under warranty. But if you have a defective flap and you drop it in the water then Sony does not have to fix the whole phone.
Well, this is how it works here in Brazil.

Who pushed you in the water with a cell phone in your pocket? Why can't this be their fault?
Phone is likely bricked.

Howlbeck said:
Yes, do that for more than 24 hrs and pray. A lot.
Had this once with a S3, but it was never completely under water, just totally soaked from heavy rain while hiking. It worked until I smashed the screen two times in a short row.
As a sidenote: even if the Z3c is promoted as waterproof, I'd never take it close to any situation where it could get totally wet. Even if hiking and inside a case and my pockets I always put it in a ziplock bag if rain is to be expected...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? You put a waterproof phone in a ziplock bag?
I took my z3c swimming with me in my pocket in pools, the sea, and some waterfalls. Taking pictures and videos, the primary reason I bought it. No case, no ziplock bags and it's perfectly fine.
Sent from my D5833 using XDA Free mobile app

GlebunV2 said:
That's the most ridiculous thing I've read all day.
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Click to collapse
jerverg said:
What? You put a waterproof phone in a ziplock bag?
I took my z3c swimming with me in my pocket in pools, the sea, and some waterfalls. Taking pictures and videos, the primary reason I bought it. No case, no ziplock bags and it's perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you
However, better safe than sorry - regardless if some find it ridiculous, I don't care.

Howlbeck said:
Good for you
However, better safe than sorry - regardless if some find it ridiculous, I don't care.
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Click to collapse
You shouldn't have bought a waterproof phone then.
But my Z3C was only 8 days old. Water drops got inside USB Flaps, even though it was closed properly, no damage, no nothing. I think it was some thread though. Tested it second time, as was good.

I did buy it because of a lot of things, none of them being waterproof...
I care for my gadgets as I don't buy them on a plan/budget but at full price. It's easy to get it for 1 EUR/USD or whatever and then complain if it gets destroyed because of "supplier promised, supplier has to fix it at no cost" mentality. Anyway, each to his own.

Not to extend a useless discussion, but I also buy my phones at full price, no network discount. And one of the reason I bought this phone is its resistance to water. I haven't swam with it yet, I'll be scared before I do, but rain... Even my Motorola razr maxx could take rain drops. This phone can easily take rain.
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app

I don't think it's useless, it shows how we care about our phones.
I agree, there is rain and rain. You call it a few drops, I call it getting soaked in heavy rain while outdoors for hours with no chance of cover. Eventually you will get soaked to the skin, including your gadgets.
If everybody here takes it to the shower, pool, sea or whatever - so be it. If it survives - good. If it doesn't: do not complain. Simple.

Howlbeck said:
I don't think it's useless, it shows how we care about our phones.
I agree, there is rain and rain. You call it a few drops, I call it getting soaked in heavy rain while outdoors for hours with no chance of cover. Eventually you will get soaked to the skin, including your gadgets.
If everybody here takes it to the shower, pool, sea or whatever - so be it. If it survives - good. If it doesn't: do not complain. Simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it doesn't survive when all precautions are taken (Flaps properly closed and dipped solely in Fresh water), Sony is liable, if they deny warranty then it's time for a lawyer.
I'm only a kid, they took me for granted with my Z1 (Defective screen and Speaker) until I threatened them with Legal consequences.

Mazzeru said:
From what he said, they were closed, but defective. Which happens if you open them regularly to charge / connect to pc.
Defective flaps are also a motive to return. The phone is IP65/68. As such, it shouldn't be damaged in any way from continuous immersion before 3 meters.
Obviously if bootloader is still locked. (even so, I think a lawyer could force them to take the phone under warranty. The eula is quite vague about "modifying the phone")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's rated for 1.5 meters, not 3.

Waterproof?

Could someone try to reproduce this behavior please, just to verify if it's normal.
Time to time, I'm used to wash my phone, just under a few water, with very few soap.
I've noticed a few weeks ago that the sound is just crappy after that. In both speakers. I don't know if it's normal or a problem with my phone. Before sending it to a repair center, could someone tell me if his P20 Pro has the same issue?
My test is quite simple, right after putting water on it, try to call someone and see if the sound is ok. Then, try to play a song, and see if everything is OK. I both cases, I've got a crappy sound.
Maybe it's not an issue, but just normal. If that's normal, it's quite disappointing though, because I was expecting from a waterproof phone to handle a little bit more the residual water.
Thanks for your feedback.

I believe, that it's happening on all phones right after putting water on the speakers. The problem should disappear after few hours, when it'll be completely dry.

delirii said:
Could someone try to reproduce this behavior please, just to verify if it's normal.
Time to time, I'm used to wash my phone, just under a few water, with very few soap.
I've noticed a few weeks ago that the sound is just crappy after that. In both speakers. I don't know if it's normal or a problem with my phone. Before sending it to a repair center, could someone tell me if his P20 Pro has the same issue?
My test is quite simple, right after putting water on it, try to call someone and see if the sound is ok. Then, try to play a song, and see if everything is OK. I both cases, I've got a crappy sound.
Maybe it's not an issue, but just normal. If that's normal, it's quite disappointing though, because I was expecting from a waterproof phone to handle a little bit more the residual water.
Thanks for your feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt had faced your issue never because would never put my 500 euros phone into the water, but its owners decision after all
See this thread here on Reddit might it can help you, i would suggest you to put it into a tupper full of rise and put phone into it
EDIT: also it would be good if you put your phone under 'clear' watter without salt you know. without any soap. before put it on rise.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Huawei/comments/a9y83z/help_p20_pro_speaker_water_damage/

Have dunked my phone many times and it's been fine.
A while ago I went swimming in the South Pacific with a galaxy S5 all day long and although the mic got a small grain of sand stuck in it, it was fine after it fell out.
Should be fine, get a toothbrush and go over the grills, get the bristles in there, just no pins or anything metal.

it`s normal
nor problems just wait an HOUR

sherif2222222 said:
it`s normal
nor problems just wait an HOUR
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Click to collapse
Ok, thanks everyone. I may be too naive, but I was really expecting something "more waterproof". quite disappointing even if I'm still happy to clean my phone from time to time.

Dude first of all your phone is not waterproof. Its water resistant. There is no phone that is waterproof. Second of all you need to wait more than an hour for the water to evaporate in order to use the speakers in a proper manner. And for ****s sakes dont use soap or any other chemicals to wash it. You might apply pressure during your so called washing period where its not needed and damage the phone itself. Its dust resistant so just rinse it with water and your more than fine.