These days, practically every company advertises that its mobile phones are waterproof or at least water resistant. But everyone knows that letting your phone fall into a lake just means you need to go buy a new one ASAP.
So are waterproof phones a thing? Let’s answer this question and more.
What’s the Difference Between Waterproof and Water Resistant?
Waterproof and water-resistant sound like the same things. But in reality, the two terms mean something different.
A waterproof smartphone is a device with an IP68 rating. Specifically, waterproof mobile devices can be submerged in more than one meter of water. Each waterproof mobile device’s exact submersion depth is specified by its manufacturer — for example, Android phones may be able to withstand a different depth than other cell phones. Furthermore, waterproof mobile devices can be submerged in water down to their specified depths for more than 30 minutes.
In contrast, a "water resistant" smartphone has an IPX7 rating. That means they can be submerged in water up to 1 m (but not beyond) and only for 30 minutes. So they’re still pretty resistant against water damage, but not as much as fully waterproof phones.
What Are IP Ratings?
Let’s break down IP ratings in more detail.
"IP" stands for "ingress protection." It's a rating that tells you how well a mobile device is protected from dust (or other solid debris) and water (or other liquid hazards).
The first number in an IP rating tells you how dust-resistant it is. A device with an IP5X rating is fully dust resistant and should never be damaged by solid debris. IP6X ratings are even better in this regard.
IPX8 ratings are required for a phone manufacturer to claim the device is waterproof. But some phones have phenomenal IPX9K ratings, which means they can resist high pressure and high-temperature water sprays, even at close range. Very few phones are tough enough to earn this rating.
How Do Waterproof Phones Work?
Waterproof phones essentially work by using special sealants or components, which protect their sensitive internal components from being damaged by water, or which prevent water from getting into a phone’s interior compartments in the first place. For example, headphone jacks and triple camera systems would need to somehow be secured and able to withstand a dunk in water.
Submersion is not the same as being exposed to high-pressure water sprays. For example, an IP8X phone might be fully waterproof. But if you were to spray it with a hose, some water droplets might still get into the phone and damage or destroy it.
Similarly, IP8X waterproof phones can’t be submerged in depths greater than what the manufacturer recommends. If they are, they could be damaged by water due to pressure or other factors affecting their defensive design elements.
Remember, waterproofing does not necessarily speak to the phone’s ability to resist other forms of damage. Even if your phone is waterproof, it could still be damaged if you put it in ice or other liquids (particularly anything acidic).
So while waterproofing or water resistance is an important part of phone durability, it’s not the end-all-be-all.
What Are the Best Waterproof Phones?
Many manufacturers offer waterproof phones to draw buyers and to provide users with an extra level of durability. Check out Navi’s Phone Navigator page to discover excellent waterproof phones, or consider the four below, each known for their durability and waterproof functionality.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Series
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series, which includes the Galaxy S22 Ultra, already has a lot going for it, but these phones’ waterproof durability is just one more feather in the proverbial cap. As IPX8-rated phones, they can withstand submersion in water down to 1.5 m or 5 feet for up to 30 minutes.
Therefore, phones in this series are great for folks looking for durable mobile devices they can rely on for a long time. Other benefits, like a high-quality Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU and an excellent display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, make this gadget a top choice regardless of your phone preferences or other needs.
iPhone 13 Series
Then there’s the highly regarded Apple iPhone 13 series. This series of phones, particularly the iPhone 13 Pro Max, is fantastic regarding waterproof functionality. Each phone is rated IP68, so they’re not only waterproof; they’re also dust resistant. Specifically, these phones can be submerged down to 6 m of water for 30 minutes. You can drop them in a pool and retrieve them to find them still functioning!
The iPhone 13 series of phones is great, regardless. The phones boast features like high-quality CPUs, good battery life (even when taking a lot of video footage), and fantastic displays alongside wireless charging.
Of course, iPhones are also well known for their quality cameras. Thus, the iPhone 13 series could be a great choice if you want to take pictures in an aquatic environment, like at the beach or around the pool in your backyard, as both the front and rear camera setups are excellent.
Google Pixel 4 XL
Google's Pixel 4 XL is a stellar device from start to finish. But this smartphone is also waterproof and rated IP68: the same as the iPhone 13 series of devices. It's both waterproof and dust resistant, so it is highly durable and should last for a long time to come. The screen is also large, making it a popular choice for viewing media and playing some of the most popular mobile games.
Other excellent features include a Qualcomm chipset and an excellent OLED display that goes from edge to edge. Google’s virtual assistant and other features, like 6 GB of RAM and a quality dual camera system, make it one of the best phones in the modern market overall, not just for its waterproof durability.
Nokia XR20 Rugged
The Nokia XR20 Rugged smartphone is quite durable, as the name suggests. It’s IP68 rated, so it’s dust resistant and waterproof, and it can be submerged down to 1.5 m or 5 feet for up to one hour. Talk about waterproofing!
It’s a great phone aside from this fact, of course. The Rugged phone features a 5G compatible Snapdragon 4800 Octacore processor, so it's among the most powerful mobile devices on the market today. The 6.67-inch OLED display is great for playing games or viewing media, and storage choices from 64 to 128 GB mean this is perfect for taking photos or videos frequently.
The Bottom Line
All in all, waterproof phones technically exist, depending on how you quantify "waterproofing." At the bare minimum, waterproof or water-resistant phones should survive if they get a little wet. It's just another way to determine whether a phone's durable enough for your needs.
Plus, you can find plenty of quality waterproof phones on Navi’s Phone Navigator page now! Here, you’ll be able to compare tons of different phones based on price, features, and more. Let us help you find the perfect waterproof phone today!
Sources:
Can I Go Swimming With My iPhone? Breaking Down Water-Resistance Ratings | CNET
What to Know About IP Ratings Before Getting Your Phone Wet | WIRED
Apple's Chip Success Has Qualcomm Fired Up to Show Who's Boss | CNET
