• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechSamsung

Samsung Galaxy S7 Active Isn’t Actually Waterproof, Says Consumer Reports

By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 9, 2016, 4:44 PM ET
The Samsung Studio At SXSW 2016
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 12: AUSTIN, TX - MARCH: Rapper Lil Wayne pours champagne over his Samsung Galaxy S7 at Samsung Galaxy Life Fest at SXSW 2016 on March 12, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Samsung)Jonathan Leibson — Getty Images for Samsung

Samsung has marketed its entire S7 line as remarkably durable, including in commercials featuring rapper Lil’ Wayne pouring champagne over an S7 Edge. But yesterday, Consumer Reportsreleased results showing the S7 sibling pitched as the most durable may, in fact, be the least likely to survive such rough treatment.

In its tests, Consumer Reports submerged two S7 Actives in a water tank pressurized to 2.12 pounds per square inch, the same pressure they would experience at a depth of five feet. Samsung claims that all versions of the S7 meet the so-called IP68 standard for water-resistance, which requires the ability to survive submersion in five feet of water for 30 minutes.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

But both test phones nearly drowned. The first phone’s touchscreen died and showed green lines, while bubbles had infiltrated its cameras. The second phone’s screen turned on and off “every few seconds,” and had water in its camera lenses and SIM card slot. Consumer Reports says that after drying out, the phones would turn on when plugged in, but the screens could not be read.

Ironically, the Active version of the S7 was the only one of the three to fail this test, with the standard S7 and S7 Edge versions actually living up to the Lil’-Wayne-pouring-champagne hype. Those phones have been widely praised as among the best released this year, and are at the top of Consumer Reports‘ phone rankings.

In its response to Consumer Reports, Samsung said it has had “very few” customer complaints about the phone’s water-resistance, and speculated that the magazine had gotten its hands on defective devices.

For more on Samsung, watch our video.

But that might not comfort to the athletic, outdoorsy types who are among the phone’s target customers. The S7 Active, offered exclusively by AT&T, includes an underwater camera mode and a special “Active” key that provides quick access to both activity trackers and an emergency app for sending “SOS” messages. It also has a supersized battery, and offers an optional camouflage color scheme. Sporty types attracted by those features would probably rather not wait until they’re in the great outdoors to find out they got a leaky phone.

About the Author
By David Z. Morris
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Elon Musk
Big TechSpaceX
SpaceX to offer insider shares at record-setting $800 billion valuation
By Edward Ludlow, Loren Grush, Lizette Chapman, Eric Johnson and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
9 hours ago
Big TechApple
Apple rocked by executive departures, with chip chief at risk of leaving next
By Mark Gurman and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
12 hours ago
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said China is better equipped for an AI data center buildout than the U.S.
AITech
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China ‘they can build a hospital in a weekend’
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
14 hours ago
Arts & EntertainmentMedia
Former Amazon Studios boss warns the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal will make Hollywood ‘a system that circles a single sun’
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
15 hours ago
Jay Clayton
LawCrime
25-year DEA veteran charged with helping Mexican drug cartel launder millions of dollars, secure guns and bombs
By Dave Collins, Michael R. Sisak and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
16 hours ago
Elon Musk
LawSocial Media
Elon Musk’s X fined $140 million by EU for breaching digital regulations
By Kelvin Chan and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
16 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
14 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
19 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he works 7 days a week, including holidays, in a constant 'state of anxiety' out of fear of going bankrupt
By Jessica CoacciDecember 4, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
10 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Asia
Despite their ‘no limits’ friendship, Russia is paying a nearly 90% markup on sanctioned goods from China—compared with 9% from other countries
By Jason MaNovember 29, 2025
7 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.