Galaxy S6, S6 Edge not waterproof, but it won't matter

We’ve all recently learnt about the top features of Samsung’s new spearheads, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones that will be on display from April 1 at Gitex Shopper Dubai, and on sale across the UAE and a host of other countries from April 10, 2015.

And while Samsung has massively improved upon the Galaxy S5’s design in dramatic ways in addition to upgrading the technology with the newest, it did have to make certain sacrifices.

The improvements have been made at the cost of previous Samsung traits such as removable batteries, microSD card slots and waterproofing.

While the former two can be ignored given that long-life batteries may just last a (smartphone) lifetime and increased base memory (up to 128GB) may not necessarily need an additional microSD card, the lack of waterproofing was bothering us a little.

After all, even in dry Dubai, there are quite real chances of anyone dropping their device – now that it’s all glass and metal – in water, coffee, or on the floor. What would happen next?

Well, our concerns were put to rest this morning when Axiom announced a new damage insurance policy for mobile devices, which will cover our smartphones against our, well, un-smartness.

“It’s that all too familiar moment of panic, when you spill coffee on your newly purchased mobile device, watching your latest investment approach its slow, inevitable ruin, all the while knowing that your warranty will not cover the repair costs for liquid damage,” Axiom says in a statement, building up the suspense.

And then it comes – the retailer says its new damage insurance service protects your devices against accidental damage, “with Axiom returning them as good as new and retaining their quality”.

The insurance plan, which will cost you 10 per cent of the device’s purchase price for a full year of coverage, includes the cost of repair during the term of the insurance, eliminating uncertainty over high repair costs, with a refund provided in case the device can’t be repaired.

“We know that when customers buy a quality handset, they are making a commitment, and we aim to show that we take that commitment seriously by offering the best possible customer support we can,” said Faisal Al Bannai, Axiom CEO.

“We want our customers to confidently use their mobile devices to enhance their lifestyle, and by offering them Damage Insurance, they can do so without worry or distress in the event of an accident.”

The insurance is valid on all mobile devices, and not limited to the new Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge smartphones – so you can get your iPhone 6/Plus and HTC One M8/M9 and others insured too.

The multi-brand distributor and retailer maintains that a the majority of customers’ technical problems arise due to accidental damage, such as dropping the phone either in water or on the ground, which causes the device to malfunction.

Such damage, it alerts users, falls outside a manufacturer’s or retailer’s warranty, making the accidental phone drop or coffee spill a painful experience for mobile users.

The problem of course has been amplified recently with devices becoming more delicate and thinner – think the iPhone 6 Plus, which some users claim bends inadvertently when left in back or front pocket of one’s trousers.

“With devices becoming ever more delicate, complex and compact, the subsequent risk of accidental damage is only increasing. Users who resort to uncertified third-party handlers to avoid the hefty costs associated with repair often compromise on quality, detracting from their mobile experience in the long-run,” says Axiom.

The Dubai-based retailer has launched the insurance package in conjunction with Watania, a UAE-based Takaful insurance operator, and is being administered by Global Assurance Solutions (GAS), will protect customers’ mobile devices from accidental damage, including exposure of the device to liquids or unintentional physical damage, such as screen breaks or damage to electronics.