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What is a waterproof smartphone?

Roel23 NOVEMBER 2025
A smartphone sits partially submerged in clear blue water, creating splashes and bubbles around it.

You're looking for a smartphone that won't break immediately if you accidentally drop it in the sink or if you cycle through a heavy rain shower. But how do you know if a smartphone is waterproof? You can see this in the IP certification of your device. This indicates how well your smartphone is protected against dust and water. What does IP certification mean, and which smartphones are waterproof?

What exactly is IP (ingress protection)?

A hand holds a black smartphone over blue pool water, water cascading off the phone into the pool.

IP is the abbreviation for ingress protection, which means 'entry protection' or 'degree of protection'. IP indicates how well a device, such as a smartphone or sports watch, is resistant to dust and water. The first number is the protection against dust. It runs from 0 to 6. The second digit is the protection against water. It runs from 0 to 9, with 9 being completely waterproof. The higher the number of the second digit, the better protected your device is from water.

Also check out the best waterproof smartwatches

IP67, IP68 and IP69

When we speak of a waterproof phone, we’re talking about smartphones with an IP67, IP68 or IP69 certification. Phones with this IP can all withstand dust well (after all, the first grade is the highest score: a 6), but in terms of pure waterproofness, there are differences between these 3 certifications, especially in the depth and the duration for which a phone can be harmlessly submerged.

Water droplets splash across a phone’s dark screen as a woman in a yellow shirt holds it carefully above her lap on a grey sofa.

IP69

A device with IP69 is fully protected against dust and resistant to powerful water jets. This means your smartphone stays safe during a heavy rain shower or if you clean it with a strong jet of water. An IP69-certified device is not necessarily tested for immersion, but to survive hard jets of water. That is why most smartphones with IP69 have also been tested for IP68.

A hand lifts a wet black tablet from a clear blue pool, droplets clinging to the dark screen as ripples shimmer across the water.

IP68

IP68 means that your smartphone is completely dustproof and can be underwater for a longer period. They have been tested at a depth of 1.5 metres and sometimes even deeper, depending on the model. So, your device remains undamaged if it falls into a (swimming) pool, as long as you fish it out quickly. In theory, it is possible to take photos underwater with such a phone, although in practice it’s advisable to use a waterproof cover for this.

A glowing phone shape sinks through dark water, bright edges and bubbles tracing its outline as light flickers across the deep background.

Wat is IP67?

You can keep your smartphone with IP67 under water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 metre. With such a device, you can assume that it will survive an unfortunate fall into the sink or can be left outside during a heavy rain shower. IP67 provides basic protection against falling into water.

IP67 vs. IP68 vs. IP69: Compare the differences

Property nameIP67IP68IP69
Water resistanceSubmersibleWaterproofMoisture-proof
Tested at depth underwater 1 metre1.5 to 5 metresN/a.
Tested for endurance underwater 30 minutes30 minutesN/a.
Protection against water jetsNoNoYes

Overview of all IP certifications

A red smartphone lies face up on wet pavement, its dark screen covered in raindrops as splashes ripple across the surrounding puddle.

An IP certification for protection against water goes up to and including 9. With IPX1 and IPX2, your smartphone is drip-proof and the least protected against water, although it will really be able to handle contact with sweat or a small drizzle. With IPX3, your smartphone is so-called splash-proof and can withstand sweat and a short rain shower of five minutes. IPX4 (splash-proof) means that your phone can handle 10 minutes in a rain shower. A spray-proof smartphone with IPX5 protects up to 15 minutes in the same rain shower. With IPX6, your device is water-resistant, even in a heavy rain shower or a fall in the sink. IPX7 stands for submersible up to one metre deep. IPX8 means completely waterproof up to five metres. IP9 offers maximum moisture proofing, although these devices haven’t necessarily been tested for the effects of submersion.

Which phones are submersible or waterproof?

A hand holds a sleek black smartphone upright, fingers curved around the back while the other hand taps lightly against the bright unseen screen.

The following popular smartphones have at least IP67 certification:

  • iPhones: iPjone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12 (IP68).
  • Samsung: The Samsung S series, Samsung Z series, Samsung Galaxy Xcover and Samsung Galaxy Note (IP68); Samsung Galaxy A35, A36, Galaxy A55 and A56 (IP67).
  • Motorola: Motorola Edge 50 Pro (IP68); Motorola Edge 60 Pro, Motorola G35, G56, G75 (IP68 and IP69).
  • Google Pixel: Google Pixel 8a (IP67); Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 9 (IP68).
  • OnePlus: OnePlus 13 (IP68 and IP69).
  • Honor: All Honor Magic smartphones (IP68 and IP69).

Which phone is right for you?

What is the best waterproof smartphone?

A rugged black keypad phone floats in vivid blue water, ripples swirling around its small glowing screen showing red abstract lines.

The best waterproof smartphones are both IP68 and IP69 tested. This includes many Motorola smartphones and the OnePlus 13. There are also special smartphones for construction, such as the brands CrossCall, AGM, and Syco. These phones can take a beating and are therefore IP68 and IP69 certified. In many cases, a smartphone with only IP68 also offers more than enough protection against water. This includes all iPhones from the iPhone 12 onwards, the powerful smartphones from the Samsung Galaxy S series, and many Google Pixel models. Are you looking for a waterproof foldable phone? Then look at the IP68-certified models from the Samsung Z series, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, or choose one of the Honor Magic models, which are even IP68 and IP69 tested.

Our advice on waterproof smartphones

Do you want a smartphone that won't be broken immediately if you accidentally drop it in the sink or toilet bowl? Then you need a phone with at least IP67 certification. These phones have been tested in such a way that they can go one metre under water for about 30 minutes. For even more security, go for an IP68-tested smartphone. In principle, these devices can go even deeper under water without breaking down immediately. Incidentally, it is still not recommended to keep such phones under water for a long time or, for example, to go swimming with them. In any case, always make a backup of your phone.

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