Samsung is facing federal court action over alleged false claims about the water resistance of its ‘Galaxy’ branded mobile phones.

Samsung has been advertising for several years on social media, online, TV, billboards, brochures and other media that the Galaxy phones are water resistant.

It has depicted them being used in, or exposed to, oceans and swimming pools.

Samsung also advertised the Galaxy phones as being water resistant up to 1.5 metres deep for 30 minutes.

“The ACCC alleges Samsung’s advertisements falsely and misleadingly represented Galaxy phones would be suitable for use in, or for exposure to, all types of water, including in ocean water and swimming pools, and would not be affected by such exposure to water for the life of the phone, when this was not the case,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said.

The ACCC claims Samsung did not have a reasonable basis for making the representations because:

  • It did not test or know of testing (or sufficient testing) about how exposing a Galaxy phone to water (including non-fresh water) affected its usable life
  • It held the view that using Galaxy phones in liquid other than fresh water could damage them. For example, Samsung’s website states that the new Galaxy S10 phone range is ‘not advised for beach or pool use'
  • It has denied warranty claims from consumers whose phones were damaged when used in water

Aside from not having a reasonable basis, the ACCC also claims that the representations are false, misleading and deceptive, because the Galaxy phones were not suitable for use in all types of water, and the life of the phones could or would likely be adversely affected if used in water (including non-fresh water).

“Samsung itself has acknowledged that water resistance is an important factor influencing Australian consumer decisions when they choose what mobile phone to purchase,” Mr Sims said.

Samsung’s Galaxy phones which were advertised as being water resistant were sold at a higher price than Samsung phones which do not have this feature.

“Samsung’s advertisements, we believe, denied consumers an informed choice and gave Samsung an unfair competitive advantage,” Mr Sims said.

The ACCC is seeking penalties, consumer redress orders, injunctions, declarations, publication orders, an order as to findings of fact, and costs.