There are a few key things to consider when deciding whether to buy a water damaged iPhone or not. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to some common questions around this topic.
Should I buy a water damaged iPhone?
It depends. Water damaged iPhones can still work, but often have issues. Buying one is risky, but can save money if you’re willing to repair it or live with any problems.
Can water damaged iPhones be fixed?
Yes, water damaged iPhones can frequently be repaired, especially if caught quickly before corrosion sets in. Components like the logic board may need to be cleaned or replaced.
How much does it cost to fix a water damaged iPhone?
Costs vary based on the extent of damage, but expect to pay $200-$500+ for professional repair of a water damaged iPhone. DIY fixes can be cheaper.
What are the risks of buying a water damaged iPhone?
Potential issues include malfunctioning components, corrosion over time, glitchy performance, shortened battery life, and failures down the road. There are no guarantees it will work like new again.
When does it make sense to buy a water damaged iPhone?
If you find one very cheaply, are technically skilled, or just want a temporary backup phone, a water damaged iPhone can be worth it. But for most people, it’s better to avoid the risks and pay more for undamaged.
Now that we’ve covered some quick high-level questions, let’s dive deeper into the details around water damaged iPhones.
How does water damage an iPhone?
Water can damage iPhones and electronics in a few key ways:
- Short circuiting – Water conducts electricity. If water gets on electronic circuits, it can short connections and fry components.
- Corrosion – Water causes oxidation, gradually corroding metal contacts and connections over time.
- Mineral deposits – As water evaporates, it can leave behind mineral residue that interferes with electronics.
- Interference – Water can interfere with touch screens, buttons, speakers, mics, and other components.
The longer an iPhone is exposed to water, the more extensive damage becomes as short-circuiting, corrosion, and deposits occur. Swiftly powering off and drying a water-exposed iPhone is important to limit damage.
What are some typical issues with a water damaged iPhone?
Common problems seen on water damaged iPhones include:
- Not powering on
- Corroded charging port
- Faulty speakers/microphone
- Glitchy or non-responsive touch screen
- Headphone jack not working
- Buttons getting stuck
- Compromised water resistance
- Camera/lens flare issues
More extensive water exposure can cause more significant component failure like the logic board or battery. Issues may not be apparent immediately and can develop over time as corrosion progresses.
What are the best practices for drying out a wet iPhone?
If your iPhone gets wet, follow these steps to give it the best chance possible:
- Immediately power off the iPhone – This helps prevent short circuiting.
- Do not charge it – Charging can cause further damage if moisture is present.
- Dry the iPhone’s exterior – Use a soft cloth to soak up surface moisture.
- Do not use heat – Avoid hairdryers, heat guns, microwaves, ovens which can damage iPhone.
- Absorb interior moisture – Place phone in container with moisture-absorbing packs.
- Let air dry 1-3 days – Extended air drying gives moisture time to evaporate.
The quicker you can remove moisture, the better chance your iPhone has of making a full recovery. Be patient during the drying process for greatest results.
What are the best DIY methods for fixing a water damaged iPhone?
Popular DIY fixes for water damaged iPhones include:
- Isopropyl alcohol – Use 99% isopropyl alcohol and soft toothbrush to gently clean corroded ports, buttons, speakers.
- Logic board cleaning – Remove logic board and use isopropyl alcohol to carefully clean. Let fully dry before reinstalling.
- Silica packs – Place phone in airtight container with many silica gel packs to absorb moisture.
- Rice – Bury phone in uncooked rice to absorb moisture. Rice works but silica gel is more effective.
- Desiccant pouches – Seal phone in a pouch with strong desiccants for 1-3 days.
Take precautions against static discharge which can damage logic boards when doing DIY repairs. Watch repair videos for guidance.
What types of professional water damage repairs are available?
Phone repair shops offer more advanced fixes like:
- Ultrasonic cleaning – Uses ultrasonic waves and solution to clean entire logic board.
- Replacement parts – Technicians can swap out corroded ports, buttons, speakers, screens, etc.
- Microsoldering – Soldering work can repair damaged chipset connections.
- Full device refurbishing – Fully disassemble, clean, replace any parts needed, reassemble, and test.
Professional technicians have the skills, tools, and parts to perform more complex water damage repairs the average person can’t do at home.
How much does professional iPhone water damage repair cost?
Cost will vary based on damage severity, but expect to pay:
| Mild cleaning of ports/buttons | $50-$100 |
| Moderate cleaning and part replacement | $150-$300 |
| Logic board level repair | $250-$500+ |
| Full device refurbishing | $350-$600+ |
Shops may offer free diagnostic testing to quote exact cost. Apple doesn’t officially repair water damage, but Apple authorized service centers can.
What water damage repairs can I do myself?
Less complex DIY water damage repairs you can attempt at home include:
- Drying out phone with rice or desiccant packs
- Cleaning corroded ports, buttons, speakers with isopropyl alcohol
- Using toothbrush to gently scrub eroded contacts
- Checking for glitchy touch screen functionality
- Testing buttons and switches for stickiness
- Checking headphone jack and speakers for correct operation
Anything beyond basic cleaning will likely require professional microsoldering skills. Leave complex logic board repairs to pros.
What questions should I ask before buying a water damaged iPhone?
Key questions to ask:
- How did the water damage occur and how much water exposure was there?
- When did water damage happen?
- Was any DIY repair attempted and if so, what was done?
- Does the phone currently turn on and function OK?
- Are there any known issues with screen, ports, speakers, microphone, buttons, etc?
- Will you accept returns if I find significant unreported damage?
Inspect the iPhone carefully yourself when possible. Verify functionality of screen, ports, camera, microphone, speaker, etc. The more details the seller can provide the better.
What are signs of severe water damage I should avoid?
Watch for these red flags:
- Phone won’t power on at all
- Visible corrosion around ports and openings
- Hazy/foggy camera lens
- Glitchy, unresponsive, cracked touch screen
- Not charging/holding charge
- Incorrect water indicators (LCI)
- Rust, mineral deposits inside ports
- Strong musty odor
Phones with extensive internal corrosion or damage have lower odds of economical repair. Avoid these unless very cheap.
What tools help diagnose water damage on an iPhone?
Useful diagnostic tools include:
- Visual inspection – Check for external corrosion, foggy lens, screen glitches.
- Water indicators – Check water contact indicators for pink/red color.
- LED flashlight – Shine inside ports to check for corrosion, debris.
- Magnifying glass – Inspect small components for corrosion.
- Multimeter – Test for shorted pins and circuits.
- Microscope – Examine logic board in detail for damage.
Run thorough diagnostic testing apps and use known-good cables, speakers to isolate faults.
What are some example deals on water damaged iPhones?
Here are some real-life examples of water damaged iPhone deals:
- iPhone XR – $120 – Powers on fine, some glitchy screen behavior after falling in pool. Good DIY candidate.
- iPhone 8 – $80 – Won’t power on, moisture in ports and camera lens fog. Riskier repair.
- iPhone 11 Pro – $200 – Toilet dunk, doesn’t charge reliably anymore. Logic board likely damaged.
- iPhone XS – $150 – Rain soaked, powers on but no audio through speakers. Likely just needs cleaning.
Evaluate damage severity and repair costs before deciding if a deal is worth it. Aim for phones with minor issues that can be DIY fixed.
Should I buy insurance on a water damaged iPhone?
Most insurance plans do not cover pre-existing water damage. However, you can sometimes get coverage on repaired water damaged devices if they are fully restored to working order and pass the insurer’s inspection.
Third party insurers like SquareTrade are more flexible than AppleCare. Weigh the costs vs. benefits – insurance may not be worth it for an inexpensive used phone.
What are some example good and bad deals on water damaged iPhones?
Here are some examples of both good and not-so-good water damaged iPhone deals:
| Deal | Rating | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 – $300 – Fell in hot tub, won’t turn on | Bad deal | Severe water exposure. Likely requires expensive logic board repair. |
| iPhone X – $200 – Minor port corrosion visible | Good deal | Powers on fine. DIY cleaning can likely fix. |
| iPhone 7 – $50 – Internally damaged per seller | Bad deal | Too uncertain. Internal damage could be unrepairable. |
| iPhone 12 Mini – $400 – Accidentally washed, no issues | Good deal | Great price if fully functional after washing. |
Inspect carefully and get details on the type and extent of damage from seller to evaluate repair feasibility.
Should I buy a water damaged iPhone as a temporary backup phone?
Purchasing a water damaged iPhone as a cheap temporary backup device you don’t need to rely on long term can make sense in some cases. But keep a few things in mind:
- The phone may fail entirely at any time.
- You’ll want to minimize use of damaged functions like speakers, mic, Bluetooth.
- Cell signal, wifi, charging may be intermittent.
- A new used iPhone may actually cost about the same.
Have very low expectations and be prepared to junk it at any time. But it can serve as a stopgap in a pinch if your main phone dies.
How can I determine if a water damaged iPhone was stolen?
To evaluate if a water damaged iPhone deal is suspicious or potentially stolen:
- Check the IMEI number against stolen device databases
- Ask for some form of ownership proof if possible
- Watch out for iPhones sold in bulk batches
- Be wary of brands new high end models sold at big discounts
- Meet locally in a safe public place, avoid shipping
Use common sense precautions used when buying any used phone to avoid potentially stolen devices.
What are the consequences of buying a stolen water damaged iPhone?
Potential consequences include:
- The phone could get blacklisted making it unusable if reported stolen
- You won’t be able to register it with Apple for warranty service
- Difficulty selling it down the road if original theft is discovered
- Legal risk although small if original owner tracks it down
- Supporting criminals by providing incentive to steal phones
It’s best to avoid buying water damaged iPhones that seem suspicious. Register the IMEI and ask for ownership proof for your safety.
How much more should I offer a seller if I buy a water damaged iPhone for parts?
When negotiating a price for a water damaged iPhone mainly for spare parts, typical amounts to offer below fair market value are:
- Non-working phone – 50-65% discount
- Working screen – 10-25% discount
- Working battery – 15-30% discount
- Working rear camera – 15-25% discount
- Working display assembly – 10-20% discount
The more damaged or non-functional the phone is, the lower you can go on price. Get multiple opinions on value of working components before negotiation.
Conclusion
While risky, buying a water damaged iPhone can be worth considering if you get it cheaply, understand the potential for issues, and are comfortable attempting repair yourself or living with glitches. Inspect carefully for signs of unrepairable corrosion damage internally. With reasonable expectations going in, you can sometimes save money over buying one in good condition. But it requires technical skill and a bit of luck getting an iPhone that cooperates after water exposure. Use care to avoid stolen devices. With diligence, you can find a good deal – but there are also many bad deals out there. Weigh costs and benefits carefully before purchasing a water damaged iPhone.
