Look, we’ve been publishing blogs for a minute now, we know how it goes. If you’re searching “Is my phone waterproof” on the internet, chances are you already got it wet. Perhaps you forgot it was in your pocket while practicing cannonballs or you just watched the series finale of your favorite romcom and the tears streamed down your face, right onto the screen. Either way, if you’re able to read this on your freshly washed phone, you should be okay. Most phones nowadays are water resistant, but not necessarily waterproof. And if you’re planning ahead to watch that series finale on your phone in the bathtub, read on to know what to expect and how to properly prepare.
What is the difference between waterproof and water resistant?
You may see these terms used interchangeably from time to time, but there is a distinct difference between waterproof and water resistant.
Waterproof means the object cannot be damaged by any liquid, whatsoever
Waterproof is what it claims to be. Water can not get in. This means that if an item is waterproof, it can be fully submerged in water for hours and still work just fine. Few items, especially modern electronics, are truly waterproof.
Water resistant means it can get wet, but not too wet for too long
If waterproof were a soundproof room (we’re talking complete silence), water resistant would be noise-canceling headphones. Yeah, they’re effective, but sound can still squeak in under certain circumstances. Water resistant means the occasional spill or accidental drop in the sink will probably be fine, but you can’t submerge it indefinitely because water will eventually cause some damage at some point.
Many new phones are marketed as water resistant, but it’s important to note that that does not mean they are waterproof.
What is an IP68 rating and why does it matter?
You’ve probably seen the term IP68 a few times and wondered what exactly it means. The IP stands for “ingress protection,” which means the level at which a device is resistant to dust and water. An IP68 rating is as close to waterproof as a phone can get (without being truly waterproof). A phone with an IP68 rating should be able to survive being submerged in water as deep as six meters for up to 30 minutes. This doesn’t mean your phone is dishwasher safe though, just FYI.
Are any phones actually waterproof?
The short answer? No. The long answer? Nope.
Just kidding. The longer answer is that while no phone is truly waterproof, many are water resistant these days. And the most water resistant phones come with an IP68 rating. Check your phone’s manual to confirm this for your specific device. If your phone has an IP68 rating, it should withstand being submerged in water for a certain depth or duration, but that doesn’t mean you should go swimming with it or try watching that blue alien movie on your phone underwater for maximum effect. Unless you have a truly waterproof case on your phone, it will never be completely waterproof.
What are the best water resistant phones?
The “best” phone always depends on your preference when it comes to features, operating system, etc but there are quite a few water resistant phones to choose from on the market today.
iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max
Every iPhone since the iPhone 12 sports an IP68 rating, including Apple’s newest additions to the iPhone family.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Widely lauded for its incredible camera quality, Samsung’s latest Galaxy device (and every Galaxy phone since the S7) also has an IP68 rating.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
The newest Pixel phone is more budget-friendly than the aforementioned Samsung Galaxy phone and iPhone while still rocking an IP68 rating.
How to waterproof your phone
Even if your phone has an IP68 rating, there are a few things you can do to make it even closer to waterproof, like coating the entire thing in a thick layer of candle wax. I’m kidding, I’M KIDDING, do NOT do that unless you want it to be waterproof AND useless. You can try any of these options though:
Buy a waterproof case
Many third-parties offer durable, waterproof cases that will provide another barrier between the water and your phone.
Get a dry bag
These are those plastic zip bags you might see at your local water park. A bit bulky for daily use, but especially handy if your phone may be exposed to repeated splashes or submersions… like at a water park. Just double check the quality for maximum security.
Nano coat your phone
This option is especially cool because you get to sound like a sci-fi character when you tell your friends, “My communication device is effectively nano coated.” It’s a thin layer of sealant similar to what you see on car windows to make rain bead off easier. Many third-party companies offer kits that allow you to nano coat your phone yourself. However, you’ll definitely want to check with your phone’s manufacturer first, just to make sure that doing this won’t void the warranty.
Waterproof blogged > water-logged
Thanks to this informative blog, you now get to be the friend who says “Actually, IP68 isn’t waterproof, it’s just water resistant up to six meters for 30 minutes.” Wield this power responsibly or risk not being invited to any more pool parties. And remember, just because your phone may boast an IP68 rating, you should still avoid getting it wet when possible, and if it does get wet, be sure to dry it off ASAP. That’s right, no phone baths — but we can tell you other ways to clean your phone if you’re curious. And if you want to protect it from other threats beyond the physical realm, check out our blog all about phone security.
If you read this far, you must be very concerned about saving your phone; that’s commendable. We at Mint take saving very seriously too, whether it’s your phone or your money. If you’d like to learn more about switching to Mint Mobile so you can save money on your wireless plan (money you could put toward a nano coat kit or waterproof case perhaps?), check out our How It Works page.
