Compare Waterproof Phones

How do you choose a waterproof phone?

Water-resistant is not the same as waterproof, and no phone is permanently waterproof. The extent of the protection is indicated by the device’s IP rating. The devices in this overview differ in these aspects.

How do water-resistant phones really differ?

• The second digit: IP67 means 30 minutes in water up to one meter deep; IP68 goes deeper than one meter, with the manufacturer specifying the exact depth. Only that single digit differs, but the difference is greater than it seems.
• The first digit: a 6 means dustproof. Devices with a hinge don’t always meet this standard; foldable phones therefore often have a lower rating.
• Durability: water resistance says nothing about damage from drops. Durable phones have a reinforced casing and often raised edges around the screen for this purpose.
• What the test doesn’t cover: An IP rating is based on clean, still water in a laboratory. Salt, chlorine, running water, and the pressure of a dive aren’t part of that test.

Every device in this overview can handle a rainstorm, a wet hand, and a spilled drink. The choice comes down to what happens next—and what happens if things go wrong.

What does the IP rating mean?

To compare devices, there is a scale for dust and water resistance: the International Protection code from the IEC 60529 standard, or IP code for short. It consists of two digits. The first digit indicates dust resistance, and the second indicates water resistance. If an “X” appears in place of a digit, the device has not been tested for that specific aspect: IPX8 therefore says nothing about dust, and IP6X says nothing about water.

The numbers do not form an ascending sequence: a device rated IP68 has been tested for submersion, but not necessarily for a powerful water jet. Only a dual rating, such as IP66/IP68, covers both.

Water resistance is not a permanent feature: the seals degrade due to heat, impacts, and daily use, so an older device may offer less protection than the rating suggests at the time of purchase. Many manufacturers therefore exclude liquid damage from the warranty, regardless of the rating.

What should you do if your phone gets wet?

Turn off the device and do not charge it, as electricity passing through a wet port can cause a short circuit and corrosion. Shake the water out of the port, pat the exterior dry, and then let the device dry naturally in a well-ventilated area. Do not place it in rice: the grains and dust will get into the port, and this won’t speed up the drying process. Do not charge the device for one day, even if it appears to be working again.

What does an ATM rating mean?

Water resistance is sometimes also indicated in ATM (atmospheres), which is the pressure a product can withstand. This scale is mainly used for watches and smartwatches, not for phones. An ATM rating is based on a test with static pressure and therefore does not represent a diving depth: as soon as you move in the water, the pressure rises higher than the number suggests.

Water-resistant or rugged?

Dust- and water-resistant is not the same as rugged. Phones with a rugged casing are often also dust- and water-resistant, but they’re also better at withstanding drops. That shock resistance isn’t specified in the IP rating; manufacturers typically claim it based on MIL-STD-810, a U.S. military testing standard that they conduct themselves.