It wasn’t way back {that a} dunk into the bathroom or pool spelled virtually sure doom for a smartphone. Certain, there have been strategies which may help dry out the phone, however it was all the time an anxiety-ridden expertise when your telephone obtained moist. That is why, by and enormous, most producers lately embody some type of IP water and mud resistance score.
1:02
Water and dust IP ratings: What does IP68 actually mean?
Your telephones and gadgets include a code to inform you how waterproof it’s – however what do these codes imply?
Lately, IP68 smartphones are pretty commonplace. For many who do not know IP ratings, the “6” and “8” within the IP score are for mud and water resistance, respectively. The six signifies that it is dustproof, whereas the eight signifies that the system might be constantly submerged in a selected depth of water for a selected period of time.
After testing 5 of the perfect IP68 telephones in the marketplace, we’re blissful to report that you do not have to sacrifice very good smartphone efficiency for further sturdiness. That can assist you determine which waterproof handset is best for you, here is a roundup of our tried and true selections, beginning with our first alternative, the epic Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.
Finest waterproof telephones: Our prime picks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
1. Finest general waterproof telephone
It would not get significantly better than this
$1270 $1420 Save $150
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is the perfect general waterproof telephone. It comes with a gaggle of options, top-end specs for 2024, and wonderful battery life. It’s going to play all of the video games, carry out all of the duties, and extra whereas resisting a watery grave.
- IP68 score
- High finish specs for 2024 smartphones
- Spectacular display, efficiency, and battery
- It is costly
- Regardless of its titanium branding, it is nonetheless susceptible to drops
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is our first alternative for waterproof telephones. It comes with the usual IP68 score, which ticks the checkbox for this listing, and it has much more. Samsung moved to a flat show this yr, which is able to imply customers have much more choices for Galaxy S24 Ultra screen protectors.
10:24
I spent 2 weeks with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it’s impressive(ly boring)
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Extremely checks the entire bins for a contemporary flagship telephone, together with Galaxy AI. This is our full evaluate of Samsung’s greatest.
Plus, its maxed-out specs ship nice efficiency, battery life, and show high quality. The telephone had just a few stumbles out of the gate, which Samsung is fixing. One such instance is the S24 vividness tool to juice the show saturation.
Nevertheless, this monstrous telephone will price you a reasonably penny because it routinely goes for north of $1000. Those that need the waterproof and Samsung constructed high quality can take a look at the opposite S24 fashions as all of them have IP68 scores.
Apple iPhone 15
2. Finest waterproof telephone for Apple customers
This iPhone is not afraid of the weather
The Apple iPhone 15 is the bottom mannequin of Apple’s present lineup and options the identical {hardware} because the iPhone 14 however with a quicker GPU, upgraded fundamental digital camera and entrance digital camera enhancements. It is available in five color options, and is IP68 licensed.
- Nice design with good coloration choices
- Wonderful efficiency
- Wonderful show
- No enjoyable, upgraded design
- Increased-tier variants can get costly
The Apple iPhone 15 is, definitely, your most suitable option in order for you an iPhone. There are a number of flavors of the iPhone 15, together with the common, Plus, Professional, and Professional Max fashions. They fluctuate in measurement, specs, and value. Nevertheless, they’re all IP68 licensed, so you do not have to fret about that not less than.
Apple iPhone 15: A stealth choice
There’s each cause to purchase this iPhone, and that applies even if in case you have an iPhone 14. This is why the iPhone 15 is a superb alternative.
What makes the iPhone 15 the most suitable choice for Apple customers is that it is the newest one with nice upgrades. It has the perfect specs on any telephone Apple has produced. The extra budget-friendly variants, like the bottom mannequin iPhone 15, have some scaled-back options to drive the worth down, however nothing too critical.
We’re large followers of its design and efficiency. Even the digital camera is excellent. On the low finish, you may get an iPhone 15 for $800 straight from Apple and there are virtually perpetually cell provider offers the place you may get it for much less or on a fee plan.
Google Pixel 8 Professional
3. Finest waterproof telephone for Android followers
Google’s cool new digital camera software program on prime of IP68 resistance
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is the most recent flagship from Google. It contains the most recent Google-made Tensor GPU, an incredible digital camera, and, after all, IP68 water resistance. It’s going to do what you want it to do.
- Digicam efficiency
- Nice show
- Clear software program expertise
- Battery life is merely common
- Snapdragon-powered flagships provide extra efficiency
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is Google’s newest flagship, launched Oct. 2023. It affords the same set of options to the earlier yr’s Pixel 7 Pro, together with an impressive digital camera, a clear software program expertise, and an exquisite show.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: Google just went and reinvented smartphone photography
Is the Google Pixel 8 Professional greater than only a vessel for AI?
Google can also be dedicated to seven years of software program updates to the telephone, so you do not have to fret about being old-fashioned with a Pixel 8 Professional for a very long time. The Android area has stabilized fairly a bit in recent times, so the downsides to the Pixel 8 Professional are basically an identical to final yr’s telephone.
Snapdragon-powered telephones merely have extra horsepower, though solely energy customers want to fret about that. Google’s latest Tensor chip is not any slouch, it is simply not the perfect one. In any case, the Pixel 8 Professional is an apparent alternative, and goes toe-to-toe with any Android telephone.
Google Pixel 7a
4. Finest price range waterproof telephone
It does extra for much less whereas additionally staying dry
The Google Pixel 7a is a sturdy, cheap smartphone that handles the weather comparatively properly. It sports activities an IP67 score, which is able to preserve it secure from the occasional dunk into water and is available in at below $500 MSRP.
- Nice digital camera efficiency, no matter value level
- Surprisingly good design and construct high quality
- Clear software program expertise with constant updates
- Show may very well be brighter
- Dearer than prior Google Pixel “a” telephones
It is troublesome to say destructive issues in regards to the Google Pixel 7a. It prices $500, has the identical flagship-level processor because the common Pixel 7 sequence, and takes wonderful footage. By way of worth, there aren’t many telephones in the marketplace that may boast the talents of the Pixel 7a.
8:38
Google Pixel 7a: Mid-range might
Google’s up to date mid-range telephone boosts the standard over the earlier iteration — however its greatest competitor may be from Google itself.
It additionally comes with IP67 water and mud resistance. Meaning it’s going to take a dunk, however you should not preserve it underwater for a very long time. The Pixel 7a is certainly dearer than the 6a or prior gadgets within the lineup. Nevertheless, Google packs loads of worth in there. The digital camera efficiency is superb and competes with telephones at twice its value level.
Whereas the Tensor G2 is not the latest child on the block anymore, it is nonetheless able to good efficiency. It is not fairly IP68 rated, however telephones this cheap with IP68 scores normally do not have this stage of usability. Simply do not depart it underwater and you will be high quality.
Asus Zenfone 10
5. Finest compact possibility for a water-proof telephone
Sturdy and pocketable system
The Zenfone 10 delivers flagship efficiency, has a terrific show and digital camera, however squeezes it into a cushty one-handed, compact type that boasts IP68 and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Compact and sensible design
- Flagship pace and efficiency
- Nice major digital camera with wonderful stabilization
- Rear texture will not be to everybody’s style
- Ultrawide digital camera is not wonderful
Should you’re searching for a telephone that is smaller and simpler to handle with one hand, then maybe the Asus Zenfone 10 is the place it is at for you. As an alternative of an enormous show just like the Pixel 7 Professional or S23 Extremely affords, the Zenfone 10 has a good 5.9-inch show that is loads brilliant and clear.
Asus Zenfone 10: The compact phone of your dreams
With its small measurement, tactile again and daring design, the Asus Zenfone 10 is a compact dream.
It boasts an IP68 score, which Asus lists within the small print on the Zenfone 10’s website as with the ability to face up to being submerged at a depth of 1.5 meters in “faucet water” for half-hour. This is a enjoyable reality in regards to the Zenfone 10: It has a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired headphones and remains to be waterproof — a double rarity.
The Zenfone 10 is available in some enjoyable colours too, together with eclipse crimson, midnight black, aurora inexperienced, comet white and starry blue.
Sony Xperia 1 V
6. Finest premium waterproof smartphone
Regular, highly effective, versatile
$1198 $1398 Save $200
The Sony Xperia 1 V is an costly, however succesful smartphone. It sports activities a really incredible OLED show, good battery life, and some of the versatile digital camera techniques of any smartphone. It is costly, however premium smartphones usually are.
- Wonderful design with textured again and grooved sides
- Flagship-level efficiency to match the nice OLED show
- Versatile digital camera system
- It is costly
- Versatile cameras include sophisticated software program
Enjoyable reality, Sony was one of many first smartphone OEMs to incorporate IP scores with its smartphones, with the Sony Xperia Z1S being notable for its water resistance. The Sony Xperia 1 V continues that custom with an fascinating, however nonetheless very waterproof IP65/IP68 score. On prime of that, the Xperia 1 V comes with flagship-level specs, an impressive show, and a singular digital camera system.
Sony Xperia 1 V: The master camera finally gets night mode
Sony’s newest flagship brings some welcome adjustments, however is it nonetheless too costly?
For the cameras, it homes three of them, together with a 48MP fundamental shooter, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide. They’ll shoot 4K video as much as 120FPS and do loads of different neat issues. Nevertheless, it does require a studying curve as a result of Sony’s software program is not probably the most intuitive.
In any case, this telephone does a bit little bit of every thing and would not complain a lot when doing it. The S24 Extremely remains to be higher, however this telephone is $200 cheaper than the S24 Extremely, and it solely comes unlocked.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
7. Finest foldable waterproof telephone
As nice because it will get
$1500 $1800 Save $300
Sure, foldables might be waterproof and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a first-rate instance. With its beefy specs, IPX8 water resistance score, and big inner display, the Z Fold 5 is arguably probably the most premium possibility on the listing.
- Wonderful shows
- Flagship specs means flagship efficiency
- Folding design has solely gotten higher through the years
- It is not so sturdy in opposition to mud as it’s water
- Nonetheless supremely costly
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the costliest smartphone on this listing. It is also the one one with a hinge and a number of shows, so not less than it isn’t for no cause. Surprisingly, the Z Fold 5 is waterproof, sporting an IPX8 score.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5: Still the top choice of foldable phone
Samsung’s newest Fold would possibly look iterative, however there are some vital adjustments within the 2023 flagship.
The “X” there signifies that it has no mud resistance score, so whereas it may well take a dunk within the pool, it may well’t deal with a tough day on the seaside. It is one thing to remember. In any other case, you are getting a high-end smartphone on the bleeding fringe of expertise.
The inner display is principally a pill with the exterior display being adequate for fundamental smartphone wants like calls, texts, social media, and internet shopping. The specs make it a powerhouse as properly. Whereas the worth has come down from earlier iterations, it is nonetheless fairly costly, so contemplate fastidiously earlier than buying.
The underside line: What’s the perfect waterproof telephone in the marketplace?
It relies upon totally on what you need. The newest iPhones are all waterproof so Apple followers are lined. In the meantime, Android followers have a number of telephones to select from. We expect the Galaxy S24 Extremely covers the bases for the most individuals with a premium design, flagship specs, wonderful cameras, and nice battery life. Clearly, for Apple followers, any model of the iPhone 15 will be just right for you.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Editor’s Selection
Sturdy and pocketable system
$1270 $1420 Save $150
Now, that does not imply that there aren’t any different good choices. The Pixel 8 Professional, Pixel 7a, Sony Xperia 1 V, and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are all excellent choices, whereas the Asus Zenfone 10 picks up the slack within the compact smartphone section. It doesn’t matter what form of waterproof telephone you need, there may be an possibility for you.
How did we select the perfect waterproof telephones?
Pocket-lint has been reviewing telephones as an organization for 20 years, so we all know a factor or two about smartphones. For probably the most half, almost all smartphones lately include waterproof scores. This listing omitted the non-waterproof telephones and added another, juicy choices. Now we have additionally reviewed each telephone on this listing.
FAQ
Q: How do I do know if my telephone is waterproof?
The very first thing it’s best to do is go to Google and sort within the mannequin title of your telephone together with the phrase “IP score” to see in case your telephone has one. From there, it is simply understanding that the IP scores imply. If it is an IPX4 or IPX5, it is splash-proof. IPX7 and IPX8 can deal with dunks in water at various depths for various occasions. IPX9, which is uncommon, signifies that a telephone might be underwater for lots longer.
In case your telephone would not have an IP score, which means it isn’t licensed as waterproof. Nevertheless, some OEMs, like OnePlus, will say their telephones are waterproof with out searching for out official IP certification. For OEMs like that, your mileage could fluctuate. Telephones with out IP scores or waterproof claims are 100% not waterproof.
Q: Are there any waterproof foldable telephones?
Water resistance on foldable telephones is not quite common, however it’s slowly turning into one thing we’re beginning to see. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5 and the Google Pixel Fold had been all not too long ago launched and all carry an IPX8 score for water resistance.
To be clear, that score lacks any certification for mud resistance, however in response to Samsung, the IPX8 score on its foldables signifies that they “will operate correctly even after being submerged in contemporary water for as much as half-hour below particular situations.”
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