Highlights
- iPhone 17 Pro Max found buried in mud after Typhoon Karmaegi
- Device turned on and worked perfectly after 3 days
- Survived despite being submerged in floodwater
- Story goes viral on Reddit, sparking global attention
A Smartphone That Refused to Die
In the aftermath of Typhoon Karmaegi, which caused widespread destruction in the Philippines, one story has captured the internet’s attention — not just for its emotional weight, but for what it says about modern technology.
A Reddit user from Mandaue, Cebu, shared a remarkable experience: after his home was washed away by the typhoon’s floodwaters, he returned three days later to find his iPhone 17 Pro Max buried in mud.
To his surprise, after rinsing it off and plugging it in, the phone powered on and worked like nothing had happened.
A Case of Luck — and Engineering
The user mentioned that the phone was inside a CARE by PanzerGlass Samba Vanilla case, though it’s unclear how much protection it offered in such extreme conditions.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated IP68, meaning it can survive in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. But this phone had been submerged in muddy floodwater for three days — far beyond its official limits.
This incident highlights not just the phone’s durability, but also the engineering quality behind Apple’s flagship devices.
A Story That Touched the World
The post quickly went viral on Reddit, with users expressing relief that the person survived the disaster. Many called it a “miracle” and even suggested that Apple should feature the story in their marketing, much like Samsung did with a Galaxy S23 Ultra that survived being frozen in ice.
But for the user, the phone’s survival was secondary. “More than anything, I’m just glad I made it out alive,” he wrote.
Expert Insight
According to Tech World info, tech and automobile industry analyst, “This story is more than just a viral moment — it’s a testament to how far smartphone durability has come. The iPhone 17 Pro Max surviving a natural disaster shows the kind of real-world resilience that builds brand trust.”
