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 that may help dry out the phone, but it surely was at all times an anxiety-ridden expertise when your telephone obtained moist. That is why, by and huge, most producers lately embody some form of IP water and mud resistance score.
1:02
Water and dust IP ratings: What does IP68 actually mean?
Your telephones and units include a code to let you know how waterproof it’s – however what do these codes imply?
Today, IP68 smartphones are pretty commonplace. For individuals 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 machine might be repeatedly submerged in a selected depth of water for a selected period of time.
After testing 5 of the perfect IP68 telephones available on the market, we’re joyful to report that you do not have to sacrifice excellent smartphone efficiency for further sturdiness. That can assist you determine which waterproof handset is best for you, this is a roundup of our tried and true selections, beginning with our first selection, the epic Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely.
Finest waterproof telephones: Our high picks
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
1. Finest total waterproof telephone
It would not get significantly better than this
$1270 $1420 Save $150
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is the perfect total waterproof telephone. It comes with a gaggle of options, top-end specs for 2024, and glorious battery life. It will 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 screen, efficiency, and battery
- It is costly
- Regardless of its titanium branding, it is nonetheless vulnerable to drops
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is our first selection for waterproof telephones. It comes with the usual IP68 score, which ticks the checkbox for this checklist, and it has much more. Samsung moved to a flat show this 12 months, 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 packing containers for a contemporary flagship telephone, together with Galaxy AI. This is our full assessment 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 value 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 rankings.
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 primary digital camera and entrance digital camera enhancements. It is available in five color options, and is IP68 licensed.
- Nice design with good colour choices
- Glorious efficiency
- Glorious 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 differ in dimension, specs, and value. Nevertheless, they’re all IP68 licensed, so you do not have to fret about that a minimum of.
Apple iPhone 15: A stealth choice
There’s each cause to purchase this iPhone, and that applies even you probably have an iPhone 14. This is why the iPhone 15 is a superb selection.
What makes the iPhone 15 the best 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 value down, however nothing too severe.
We’re large followers of its design and efficiency. Even the digital camera is superb. On the low finish, you will get an iPhone 15 for $800 instantly from Apple and there are virtually perpetually cell service offers the place you will 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 high of IP68 resistance
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is the most recent flagship from Google. It consists of the most recent Google-made Tensor GPU, an incredible digital camera, and, in fact, IP68 water resistance. It will do what you want it to do.
- Digital camera efficiency
- Nice show
- Clear software program expertise
- Battery life is merely common
- Snapdragon-powered flagships supply extra efficiency
The Google Pixel 8 Professional is Google’s newest flagship, launched Oct. 2023. It presents an analogous set of options to the earlier 12 months’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 outdated 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 similar to final 12 months’s telephone.
Snapdragon-powered telephones merely have extra horsepower, though solely energy customers want to fret about that. Google’s latest Tensor chip isn’t any slouch, it is simply not the perfect one. In any case, the Pixel 8 Professional is an apparent selection, and goes toe-to-toe with any Android telephone.
Google Pixel 7a
4. Finest funds 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 nicely. It sports activities an IP67 score, which is able to hold it protected from the occasional dunk into water and is available in at underneath $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 tough to say detrimental 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 glorious photos. By way of worth, there aren’t many telephones available on the market 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 is likely to be from Google itself.
It additionally comes with IP67 water and mud resistance. Which means it will take a dunk, however you should not hold it underwater for a very long time. The Pixel 7a is certainly dearer than the 6a or prior units within the lineup. Nevertheless, Google packs numerous 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 most recent child on the block anymore, it is nonetheless able to good efficiency. It isn’t fairly IP68 rated, however telephones this cheap with IP68 rankings normally do not have this degree of usability. Simply do not depart it underwater and you will be tremendous.
Asus Zenfone 10
5. Finest compact choice for a water-proof telephone
Sturdy and pocketable machine
The Zenfone 10 delivers flagship efficiency, has a fantastic show and digital camera, however squeezes it into a cushty one-handed, compact kind that boasts IP68 and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Compact and sensible design
- Flagship velocity and efficiency
- Nice major digital camera with glorious stabilization
- Rear texture will not be to everybody’s style
- Ultrawide digital camera is not wonderful
In case you’re on the lookout 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 presents, the Zenfone 10 has a decent 5.9-inch show that is lots brilliant and clear.
Asus Zenfone 10: The compact phone of your dreams
With its small dimension, 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 web site 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 pink, 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 implausible OLED show, good battery life, and some of the versatile digital camera methods of any smartphone. It is costly, however premium smartphones typically are.
- Glorious design with textured again and grooved sides
- Flagship-level efficiency to match the good 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 rankings 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 high 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 primary shooter, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide. They’ll shoot 4K video as much as 120FPS and do numerous different neat issues. Nevertheless, it does require a studying curve as a result of Sony’s software program is not essentially the most intuitive.
In any case, this telephone does somewhat little bit of all the pieces 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 major instance. With its beefy specs, IPX8 water resistance score, and large inside display screen, the Z Fold 5 is arguably essentially the most premium choice on the checklist.
- Glorious shows
- Flagship specs means flagship efficiency
- Folding design has solely gotten higher over time
- It isn’t so robust in opposition to mud as it’s water
- Nonetheless supremely costly
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the costliest smartphone on this checklist. It is also the one one with a hinge and a number of shows, so a minimum of it is not 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 may look iterative, however there are some necessary adjustments within the 2023 flagship.
The “X” there signifies that it has no mud resistance score, so whereas it may possibly take a dunk within the pool, it may possibly’t deal with a tough day on the seashore. It is one thing to remember. In any other case, you are getting a high-end smartphone on the bleeding fringe of expertise.
The interior display screen is mainly a pill with the exterior display screen being adequate for fundamental smartphone wants like calls, texts, social media, and internet searching. The specs make it a powerhouse as nicely. Whereas the value has come down from earlier iterations, it is nonetheless fairly costly, so take into account fastidiously earlier than buying.
The underside line: What’s the perfect waterproof telephone available on the market?
It relies upon totally on what you need. The newest iPhones are all waterproof so Apple followers are coated. In the meantime, Android followers have a number of telephones to select from. We predict the Galaxy S24 Extremely covers the bases for the most individuals with a premium design, flagship specs, glorious cameras, and nice battery life. Clearly, for Apple followers, any model of the iPhone 15 will give you the results you want.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Editor’s Alternative
Sturdy and pocketable machine
$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 phase. It doesn’t matter what form of waterproof telephone you need, there may be an choice 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 essentially the most half, almost all smartphones lately include waterproof rankings. This checklist omitted the non-waterproof telephones and added another, juicy choices. Now we have additionally reviewed each telephone on this checklist.
FAQ
Q: How do I do know if my telephone is waterproof?
The very first thing you must do is go to Google and kind within the mannequin identify of your telephone together with the phrase “IP score” to see in case your telephone has one. From there, it is simply realizing that the IP rankings 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 instances. IPX9, which is uncommon, signifies that a telephone might be underwater for lots longer.
In case your telephone would not have an IP score, meaning it is not licensed as waterproof. Nevertheless, some OEMs, like OnePlus, will say their telephones are water resistant with out searching for out official IP certification. For OEMs like that, your mileage might differ. Telephones with out IP rankings or waterproof claims are 100% not waterproof.
Q: Are there any waterproof foldable telephones?
Water resistance on foldable telephones is not quite common, but it surely’s slowly changing 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 just lately launched and all carry an IPX8 score for water resistance.
To be clear, that score lacks any certification for mud resistance, however in keeping with Samsung, the IPX8 score on its foldables signifies that they “will operate correctly even after being submerged in recent water for as much as half-hour underneath particular circumstances.”
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