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Up until recently, features like ingress protection, commonly known as IP rating, were mostly found on high-end flagship devices, offering protection against water and, in some cases, dust. However, this is now available on affordable smartphones as well.
Although there aren’t many truly waterproof phones, most smartphones with IP67/68 ratings are water resistant, meaning they can withstand accidental rain, splashes, and even a dip in the pool.
Before we get into the specifics, here’s some essential information about waterproofing any smartphone.
While phone brands don’t shy away from showcasing the water-resistance capabilities of their devices, if the device does get water damaged, no company will fix it for free, even if it is under warranty, unless one has comprehensive insurance, which also covers water/liquid damage. Hence, it is advised to keep your smartphones away from liquids.
If you want to use your phone to shoot photos or videos near a beach or a pool, we recommend using waterproof smartphone pouches, which cost less than Rs 100, and ensure the phone doesn’t come in contact with water.
Two phones having an IP68 rating can have different resistance against water. For example, the iPhone 15 with an IP68 rating can be submerged in up to 6 metres for 30 minutes, while the Galaxy S24 with the same IP68 rating can only be submerged up to 1.5 metres of deep water for 30 minutes. This simply means the iPhone 15 has a higher chance of surviving deep waters compared to the Galaxy S24.
Also, note that most of these devices are rated against freshwater and not saline or seawater, and they are also not safe against any other liquid such as fizzy drinks or alcohol.
With these things in mind, here are six such phones that can survive water in 2024:
If you are looking for a new phone and the primary requisite is waterproofing, then the Oppo F27 Pro+ is the only device that you can buy with your eyes shut. This is currently the only commercially available smartphone in India with an IP69 rating. It can not only withstand still water but can also withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water for up to 30 minutes.
This is another interesting and affordable smartphone with an IP68 rating. It is also the slimmest and lightest MIL-810H military-grade certified smartphone, making it even more durable. It offers a great pair of cameras, a premium design with a vegan leather finish, metal body, and the phone also has a 120Hz curved AMOLED screen at the front.
If you are looking for a high-performance camera-centric smartphone under Rs 50,000 with waterproofing, then the Vivo V40 Pro can fit the bill with its IP68 rating. The phone has a Zeiss-tuned 50 MP triple camera setup at the back, and it is also powered by the capable Dimensity 9200+ SoC, which makes it as powerful as the company’s more expensive Vivo X100.
All the iPhones launched since 2016 have come with an IP rating for water and dust resistance, and the iPhone 15 (review) offers an IP68 rating, which can survive six meters of deep freshwater for 30 minutes. The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 14, and the iPhone 13 offer the same IP68 rating.
Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 (review) series, including the S24 Ultra, comes with an IP68 rating, making it water and dust-resistant.
If you are looking for a foldable with water protection, then the Galaxy Z Fold6 (review) should be in your mind. Unlike its predecessor, which was only rated IPX8, the latest Z Fold6 is IP68 rated, which makes it dust and water-resistant, a huge feat to achieve on a foldable.
In this list, we have included waterproof smartphones from different segments. Depending on the budget and interest, one can pick the model of their choice.
