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A class action lawsuit says Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphones are not water-resistant, despite a national advertising campaign that states otherwise.
Plaintiff Dulce Alondra Velasquez-Reyes claims Samsung’s energetic efforts to promote its Galaxy S7 line of phones are based on a false and deceptive representation that those phones are water-resistant.
She claims these phones are actually vulnerable to being damaged and disabled upon exposure to water.
According to the Samsung class action lawsuit, Samsung specifically represents that its Galaxy S7 line of phones are “water resistant up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.”
On the company’s website, Velasquez-Reyes says Samsung claims that Galaxy S7 Phones “repel spills, splashes and even dunks so you won’t be putting all your hopes in a pathetic bowl of rice” – referring to the practice of using uncooked rice to remove water from a water-damaged phone.
A Samsung advertising campaign allegedly makes the point more colorfully, depicting persons “dunking Galaxy S7 phones in fish tanks, spraying Galaxy S7 phones with jets of water and dousing them with champagne, and holding the phones while kayaking through river rapids and surfing in the ocean.”
Velasquez-Reyes says these advertisements are misleading and false. She claims many phones from Samsung’s Galaxy S7 line have been damaged because of exposure to water.
She also directly challenges aspects of the phones’ design. Samsung does not apply a water-resistant coating to the Galaxy S7’s circuit board, even though such a coating is available, she alleges.
The plaintiff also points out that Samsung installs moisture-detection stickers inside the phone that change color when exposed to moisture, so that Samsung technicians can tell if water has gotten inside the phone. She argues Samsung’s use of these stickers shows that the phones are not actually water-resistant.
Velasquez-Reyes says she bought her own Samsung Galaxy S7 phone in May 2016. She claims Samsung’s representations that the phone was water-resistant were essential to her decision to purchase that particular phone.
But about two months later, Velasquez-Reyes says she dropped her phone in a toilet and pulled it out after about 10 seconds in the water. She claims to have wiped it dry with a shirt, then pressed the home button to start it up.
The phone functioned for a few seconds, then shut down, she alleges. After a few more attempts at starting the phone, she says it would not start at all. She claims Samsung later refused to repair or replace her phone after it was submerged.
Velasquez-Reyes seeks to represent a nationwide plaintiff Class consisting of “[a]ll individuals in the United States who purchased a new Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge or Galaxy S7 Active cellular phone.” She also proposes to represent a California subclass consisting of all Class Members in that state.
She seeks an award of damages, restitution, court costs and attorneys’ fees, with pre- and post-judgment interest. She also seeks equitable, injunctive and declaratory relief as appropriate.
Plaintiff’s counsel are attorneys Daniel C. Girard, Jordan Elias and Simon S. Grille of Girard Gibbs LLP.
The Samsung Galaxy “Water-Resistant” Class Action Lawsuit is Velasquez-Reyes v. Samsung Electronics America Inc., Case No. 5:16-cv-01953, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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74 thoughts onSamsung Class Action Says Galaxy S7 Phones Aren’t Water-Resistant
I want in on this claim I sent my s7 edge in for a warranty claim and they sent it back saying the water activation sticker inside had been activated and that they are going to bill my att account 700 for the full price of the phone because it is water damaged the phone is suppose to be water resistant!!!! This make no sense
All these comments are fake. Is this all you people do is sit around waiting for dumb ass lawsuits. Most of you cant even type of figure out the auto spell check. Proof read your stuff and see how dumb you are. Get a job and stop using government money for expensive phones
Same issue, here.. misleading ads, and promises no warranty coverage even “its supposed to be water resistant upto 5ft and 30 min…” I want a global suit against them.. :( I am here with a non working phone and 14month left of my contract which I will have to pay even when the phone doesn’t work anymore :(
Does anyone have problems with calls constantly dropping on their S7? I have been having this probem with mine, and cannot return it. Guess it has to set my pants on fire first.
I bought Samsung 7, had to sent it back 4 time as it was no good, now having to sent back a other on, the first burnt my hand, gave me other one, the next just did not work, this new one can not get to call any one. am going to take it back and get a another brand, as I wanted to change but they , at the store said no
4 bad phone is all I can take
How do we get involved. i have my receipt.
yes, thats what sold me! On top of that the VR
even sweat has ruined mine. i have 2 an mine is hard to hear on acts plum crazy. i, always haven to turn it on an off an that dont always help an if it does its only for a little while. thanks samsung
False advertisement.. And I’m quite upset. Being as how that was the main reason why I bought it
I have no issues with mine witch I’ve answered in the shower and took swimming. Works great.