There are plenty of waterproof cell phones available on the market today which offer extra protection against that accidental over-board “ah-oh.” Brands such as Samsung and Casio are notable for their waterproof cell phone designs, and have been offering several different models over the past five years or so. But what about those individuals who already have a cell phone, say an iPhone or an Android, and want to obtain the benefits of waterproofness?
Great news arose from this year’s International CES, the world’s most widely attended consumer electronics exhibition. The CES showcases the year’s best consumer electronics, technological innovations, and newly emerging technology companies. This year at the CES in Las Vegas, a new company stood up and revealed one of the most revolutionary products that the cellphone industry has seen in years…. Liquipel.
So… what is it exactly? Liquipel, a California based company, engineered a ground-breaking process using nano-technology to completely waterproof your iPhone or Android device. “Liquipel penetrates the entire device as a whole, including all of the vital components inside and out to provide optimal protection against accidental contact with liquids,” reads the Liquipel website. This service seems too good to be true, right?
I was curious and intrigued about Liquipel so I took the plunge (no pun intended) and sent my iPhone 4 to the Liquipel headquarters in Santa Ana California. I purchased the $59 standard Liquipel treatment which states that your phone will be completed and processed 1-2 business days after it is received. About a week later, I received my phone in the mail packaged in a nicely presented aluminum Liquipel box. Included with the return of my phone was a paper tissue which was treated with the same process. The tissue was sent along with the phone so consumers can demonstrate the product without submerging their own phone in water.
Have I tested my newly waterproofed phone? The answer is no. Although my phone has gone through the Liquipel process, it was done as precaution in the instance of an accidental submersion. For example, just because one buys a new protective case for their phone doesn’t mean that you would throw it at a cement wall to “test it.”
That being said, I am very happy with the Liquipel process and I would recommend it to anyone who spends a lot of time around water. The $60 investment against accidental water damage is undoubtedly worth the protection of an iPhone or Android valued at over $600.
For more information visit: www.liquipel.com
Final Verdict:
Pros: cost effective insurance, best option to waterproof smartphone, permanent protection w/o the bulk of a case, does not inhibit phone functionality
Cons: there is no waterproof guarantee, wait time (expect to be phone-less for about a week)
Kayak Dave Rating:
– Alex