Fix S7 or buy new?

[Insomniator]

I've had an Galaxy S7 for just over a year - great phone no real complaints. Used it in the pool during a party however and it no longer charges via the port (only wirelessly). In fact, with certain cables/chargers the area just gets super hot and I start to smell burning from the port. Something shorted/corroded I assume.

Got quoted ~$130 to fix but would the phone never be the same after its been heated up and taken apart? Would it even be guaranteed to work with a new port or whatever they'd replace?

I could just a get a G5, G6... S7 edge... or another S7 for $200-300. Would be frustrating having an otherwise perfectly good S7 lying around though. But it'd also be annoying to pay ~130 and have a non-fixed, even more compromised phone.

 

[gorcorps]

I don't like the sound of any of that. I wouldn't trust a repair because I have to imagine they're changing the the port out. Without changing out everything that could have been wet, there's no telling what else may be wrong.

 

[sdifox]

Or just charge it wirelessly.

 

[Insomniator]

Or just charge it wirelessly.

Doesn't work in the car, with portable banks on the go etc.

I just purchased this despite the crappy reviews -- for 20 bucks who cares maybe I'll get lucky. Hold on until a good S8 deal comes around.

https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/m...s-charging-battery-pack-black-ep-tg930bbugus/

 

[Zaap]

<psa>Even when a phone says its 'waterproof' or really just 'resistant'.... DON'T use it in the pool, or purposefully dunk it in water.</psa>

 

[gorcorps]

<psa>Even when a phone says its 'waterproof' or really just 'resistant'.... DON'T use it in the pool, or purposefully dunk it in water.</psa>

I know this isn't what the OP has... but the "Active" models from AT&T actually have an aqua mode made specifically for taking pictures underwater. So some of them ARE made to put under water for short periods of time.

 

[Insomniator]

They pour champagne on and put it in the fish tank in the commercials, but yes I suppose they should never be submerged on purpose.

Regardless of water damage -- charger ports have broken on numerous phones I've had over the years. Definitely the weakest point that I've seen and extremely annoying. Hope USB C is stronger, plus I'll be getting one of those magnetic adapters for my next phone for sure.

 

[JeffMD]

WATER..is fine... salt..chlorine..and other chemicals can destroy the seals.

 

[Zaap]

WATER..is fine... salt..chlorine..and other chemicals can destroy the seals.

It's kinda obvious that water-resistent phones are compartmentalized inside so water doesn't get right away into the main guts and kill the whole thing ... but the laws of electronics and water didn't magically change.

The phone can (and likely will) fail in the areas where water can get in. And certainly corrosive elements like salt, chlorine etc aren't going to do good things in there.

Unfortunately the OP had the same experience as others I've seen do similar. Sure thing, your phone is 'waterproof' and didn't fully die. But your ____ no longer works.

You can make any android phone into a pixel by killing off the extra I/O feautres yourself

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I don't get it. Three years ago I had a couple Kyocera Hydro phones (life and vibe) and took them in pools all the time. They have removable backs! I still held onto it and took underwater videos in the Mediterranean this summer. They still work perfect. I just bought my wife an s7. The 930u (unlocked, supports wifi calling on both ATT&Tmo) models are going for $200 in B+ shape. I hope she doesn't wreck this phone.

 

[Zaap]

I'm going to guess Hydro' means it WAS actually designed to work underwater, like the Active mentioned. An S7 (despite marketing hype) wasn't actually. Its just designed not to totally die that one time you accidentally drop it in water.

 

[JeffMD]

Hydro was like ip57 rated...3 meters. Although I imagine the battery compartment was up for grabs with less protection. A wet battery won't really kill a phone as much as shorten the life of the battery.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Hydro Vibe was ip57, S7 is 68, so the S7 has a much better certification. The Hydro Vibe was a cheaply made $30 phone with SD/battery/sim slots just under the door. If it has held up in pools, seawater, and the tub, how the s7 didn't is crazy to me. I wish holding a company accountable for their claims wasn't so hard. Your S7 should've held up.

 

[JeffMD]

schol, these ip ratings are all resistance though, no phone manufacturer says their phones are waterproof. It is entirely for accidental spills, in no way intended to be taken underwater for pictures or just because you are to lazy to empty your pockets when taking a swim. I would never fault the phone maker for water damage, I simply appreciate the water resistance margin.