eli5 How do waterproof phones work? Why are most phones only waterproof for a certain period of time?
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Water resistance is created by effectively blocking up the holes where water can leak into the phone.
A lot of this is fairly simple to do, just awkward for various reasons. For example rather than having a back that sides off to allow you access to the battery compartment, the battery is sealed permanently inside, and rather than a loose rear panel that clicks into place, you have a much tighter fitting and glued panel that doesn’t have that slight gap around the edges. Or rather than just having an exposed button that water can leak around, there will be a rubber membrane between the button and case that stops the water leaking in around the button.
The reason for the different ratings you see mentioned is the way water resistance is tested. The deeper underwater (and therefore higher water pressure) and the longer the time spent underwater the more likely it is that water will be able to migrate in through the tiny gaps that are left in the case.
So we consider these two factors when we do testing to confirm water resistance – because of the fact that a higher water resistance rating is harder to reliably produce without defects, the manufacturers will choose a certain rating of depth and time, test their phones to confirm that they are capable of withstanding those values and pass them when they do.
Your phone may actually be capable of withstanding far greater pressures and times, but more phones will start to fail if they chase higher numbers, so a practical option is chosen instead.
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