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However, ‘waterproof' is something of a misnomer. In reality, the phones on sale nowadays are water-resistant, as they can't keep out water under all circumstances.
Regardless, the best of these phones won't leave you high and dry – even if you manage to completely submerge them.
So which are the best waterproof phones on the market?
Best Waterproof Phones 2021
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Price |
Screen size |
Waterproof rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S20 | iPhone 11 Pro | iPhone 11 | Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus | Google Pixel 4 XL | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | Oppo Find X2 Pro | iPhone 11 Pro Max | Microsoft Surface Duo |
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|  |  |  |  | 
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Arguably still the best Android phone on sale, plus it has a handy IP68 rating | Arguably the best all-rounder phone in the S20 lineup, and a great choice for a waterproof smartphone | Can survive a deeper dunking than most IP68 phones, as well as packing the most powerful processor on the market | The iPhone 11 is the cheapest new iPhone but, as a result, it can only survive a dunking in up to two meters of water | A big, brilliant productivity phone. It's IP68 rated for waterproofing, and even comes with a stylus | A bigger, better, and more useful version of the Pixel 4. Its IP68 rating means it can withstand a dunking, too. | The massively expensive S20 Ultra is a technical tour de force that can withstand more than a splash | A large, impressive flagship phone with exceptional build quality which helps it withstand water immersion | The largest iPhone can survive some pretty serious water immersion | |
$849 | $749 | $999 | $699 | $1,099 | $899 | $1,399 | $1,350 | $1,099 | $1,399 |
6.4 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 5.6-inch/8.1-inch |
IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 4 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 | IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) | IP68 (up to 4 meters for 30 minutes) | N/A |
Not all phones sold as ‘waterproof' will have the same level of protection. So, when choosing a waterproof phone, it's important to understand what conditions the phone will survive:
- Splashes and spills – any of the phones we've listed on this page will survive accidental liquid spillage.
- Light swimming – a quick dip in the pool should be no problem for these phones, but most aren't built to survive the pressures of deep water.
- Deeper dives – only phones rated as IP68 are safe to take into waters deeper than 3ft.
Learn more about all the best waterproof phones:
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Oppo Find X2 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Google Pixel 4
Also on this page:
- Learn More About Waterproof Ratings – the difference between ‘waterproof' and ‘water-resistant' and IP ratings explained
- Waterproof Phone Cases and Pouches – make any phone waterproof with the right protection
- What to Look for in a Waterproof Phone – the key things you have to keep in mind when buying a waterproof phone
Not all phones are waterproof yet – it’s generally a feature of higher end models. But the big manufacturers are prioritizing waterproofing for their premium lines, and that generally means the more affordable ranges will follow soon enough. Read all about the best waterproof options available to you today in the reviews below.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
Yes, it has been usurped by the Samsung S20 series. But the S10 Plus is, in our minds, still one of the best Android phones you can buy. While it might not have the latest 5G-enabled processor, this isn't a massive issue while 5G connectivity remains scarce.
The S10 Plus is a fantastic-looking and well-built phone. It also has fantastic cameras and speedy performance. Here are the rest of its main specs:
- Triple rear cameras: two 12Mp lenses and one 16Mp lens. Dual front cameras: 8Mp and 10Mp lenses
- 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 1440×3040 resolution
- 8GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
- Runs Android 10 with Samsung's OneUI 2 interface
The S10 Plus is IP68 certified, meaning that should be able to survive complete immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. Of course, we wouldn't recommend putting your S10 Plus in water at all, but you can rest assured that it'll survive an accidental soaking.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review
Pros
- Fantastic screen
- Great-looking design
- Strong cameras
- Speedy processor
- OneUI is a huge improvement over previous Samsung skins
Cons
- Expensive
- Samsung can be slow to issue OS updates
- Bixby isn't very helpful
Samsung Galaxy S20
The S20 isn't the most expensive model in its series, but it is the best. It doesn't get all the bells and whistles from the S20 Ultra, but really, when have you ever needed a 100x zoom lens?
The base S20, meanwhile, gives you all the features you'd need from a phone. It has a great screen, the latest 5G-ready processors, impressive cameras, and a stylish design.
- Triple rear cameras: two 12Mp lenses and one 64Mp lens. Single 10Mp front camera
- 6.2-inch AMOLED display with 1440×3200 resolution
- 8GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- Runs Android 10 with Samsung's OneUI 2 interface
Like the S10 Plus, the S20 gets IP68 certification. According to Samsung, it can survive completely immersed in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. Don't try that at home though, obviously.
Pros
- Excellent high refresh rate screen
- 5G-ready
- Speedy processor
Cons
- Still expensive
- Samsung UI takes a while to get used to
iPhone 11 Pro
The iPhone 11 Pro is the best iPhone on sale at the moment. It has a sharper screen than the cheaper iPhone 11, and helpful camera and processor upgrades compared to the iPhone XS it replaced.
It isn't cheap, starting at $999, but you will be getting a lot of phone for the money.
- Triple 12Mp rear cameras. Single 13Mp front camera
- 5.8-inch OLED display with 1125×2436 resolution
- 4GB of RAM
- A13 Bionic processor
- Runs iOS 13
The iPhone 11 Pro is IP68 certified, but can actually withstand a more intense dunking than most other phones on this list. The iPhone 11 Pro can, apparently, be submerged in up to four meters of water for half an hour without breaking.
Pros
- Significantly improved cameras
- Beautiful screen quality
- Smart and powerful processor
- High quality design and build
Cons
- Expensive
- Paltry storage
iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is the cheapest new iPhone you can currently buy, and despite that lower price tag, it's still an impressive phone.
However, it's still disappointing to see the iPhone 11 come with an LCD display, rather than an OLED. We'd recommend this phone in a heartbeat if it just had a slightly sharper screen.
- Dual 12Mp rear cameras, single 12Mp front camera
- 6.1-inch LCD display with 828×1792 resolution
- 4GB of RAM
- A13 Bionic processor
- Runs iOS13
Like the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone 11 is IP68 rated. However, it can only manage being submerged in up to two meters of water for half an hour.
Pros
- Improved front and rear cameras
- Speedy processor
- Beautiful range of color options
- Larger battery should make it easier to live with
Cons
- Expensive
- Paltry storage
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus isn't a phone designed for everyone. In fact, it might simply be too big for some people – it weighs almost 200g, and has a huge 6.8-inch display.
However, if you're the kind of person who pushes their phone to the limits with gaming, working-on-the-go, and taking pictures, the Note 10 Plus might be perfect for you.
- Quad rear cameras: two 12Mp lenses, one 16Mp lens, and one 0.3Mp telephoto lens. Single 10Mp front camera
- 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 1440×3040 resolution
- 12GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
- Runs Android 10 with Samsung's OneUI 2 interface
The Note 10 Plus is IP68 rated, and can survive in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to half an hour.
Pros
- Screen is bright, sharp, and large
- Rear glass case is a work of art
- Impressive front and rear cameras
- Breathtaking speed and performance
- Stylus still makes it one of the most interesting phones on the market
Cons
- Very expensive
- Typical Samsung quirks
- No headphone jack
Google Pixel 4 XL
The Google Pixel 4 XL combines a fantastic screen with a stylish design and the best camera on the market – bar none.
However, it isn't the fastest phone on the market, and battery life could be a little bit better. Thankfully, it also offers the purest Android experience available, making it the perfect phone for new users to the operating system.
- Dual rear cameras: One 12Mp lens and one 16Mp lens. Single 8Mp front camera
- 6.3-inch P-OLED display with 1440×3040 resolution
- 6GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
- Runs Android 10
The Pixel 4 XL is IP68 rated, meaning that it'll be able to survive in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to an hour and a half.
Pros
- Stunning camera
- Impressive screen quality with new 90Hz refresh rate
- Snappy Face Unlock tech
- Significantly better battery life than Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 4
- Stock Android interface is easy to use
Cons
- Design might not be to everyone's taste
- Gesture controls feel a bit gimmicky at the moment
- No ultra wide-angle camera lens
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has all the features you'd expect from a top-of-the-line phone, but even more so.
It has a huge 6.9-inch high refresh rate OLED display. It has a ridiculous camera setup with a 1o8Mp wide-angle lens and a 100x zoom telephoto lens. Plus, with a massive 5,000 mAh battery, it shouldn't die too quickly. Sadly, you have to pay for this amount of performance — prices start from $1,399.
- Quad rear cameras: One 108Mp lens, one 48Mp lens, one 12Mp lens, and one time-of-flight sensing lens. Single 40Mp front camera
- 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 1440×3200 resolution
- 12GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- Runs Android 10 with Samsung OneUI 2
The S20 Ultra is IP68 rated and can survive in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to an hour and a half.
Pros
- Huge high refresh rate screen
- Remarkable camera setup
- Heaps of power
- 5G-ready
- Huge battery
Cons
- Comically expensive
- Samsung UI might not be for everyone
- Enormous screen can be challenging
Oppo Find X2 Pro
If you want speed above everything else, the Oppo Find X2 Pro is the phone for you.
Sadly, it's not currently available outside Europe and Asia at the moment. But the US is missing out, given the Oppo Find X2 Pro's brilliant screen, outrageously fast performance, and remarkable fast-charging.
- Triple rear cameras: two 48Mp lenses and one 13Mp lens. Single 32Mp front camera
- 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440×3168 resolution
- 12GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- Runs Android 10
With an IP68 waterproof rating, the Oppo Find X2 can survive in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
Pros
- Blisteringly fast performance
- Remarkable screen with 120Hz refresh rate
- Ridiculous fast charging capabilities
- Impressive rear cameras
Cons
- Very expensive
- Limited availability
- Large and heavy
iPhone 11 Pro Max
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is, basically, the iPhone 11 Pro but bigger. It has a 6.5-inch screen, and weighs a whopping 226g – if you're not used to large phones, you might be taken aback by the 11 Pro Max.
If you can see past the size, though, the 11 Pro Max is an excellent phone. It has brilliant cameras and heaps of power.
- Triple 12Mp rear cameras. One 12Mp front lens and one depth sensor lens
- 6.5-inch-inch OLED display with 1242×2688 resolution
- 4GB of RAM
- A13 Bionic processor
- Runs iOS 13
The 11 Pro Max is IP68 rated, and can survive a dunking in up to four meters of water for 30 minutes.
Pros
- Large screen is great for watching films and playing games
- Smart and speedy processor
- Improved cameras
- Large battery to keep it running for over a day
Cons
- Very expensive
- Paltry storage
- On the large side for us
Google Pixel 4
The Pixel 4 is a great phone with one flaw – its battery life should be better.
However, it has a great screen and incredible cameras, and with a 5.7-inch screen, it's handier than a lot of other rivals.
- Dual rear cameras: One 12.2Mp lens and one 16Mp lens. Single 8Mp front camera
- 5.7-inch P-OLED display with 1080×2280 resolution
- 6GB of RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
- Runs Android 10
The Pixel 4 has an IP68 rating and can survive a dunking in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
Pros
- Better value than the Pixel 3 XL
- Exceptional cameras
- Clean Android experience
- No notch
Cons
- Large bezels make it look a bit dated
- No expandable storage or headphone jack
Learn More About Waterproof Ratings
While all these phones can take a dunking in water, even some for half an hour, none of them are strictly ‘waterproof.'
Instead, these phones are all ‘water-resistant', and to different degrees. In practice, this distinction means that while you can drop these phones into water, accidentally or otherwise, they're not completely impervious to water damage.
IP Ratings Explained
Phones, and other pieces of tech, are measured against water damage using IP ratings. All the phones above are rated for either IP67 or IP68 levels of protection. The first number in the IP rating denotes the durability of a device in the face of physical objects (sand, dirt etc.).
The second number refers to water immersion. A ‘1' would mean that your phone would only manage to stand up to a few raindrops. An 8, on the other hand, means that you should be protected from water immersion for 30 minutes at a manufacturer stated depth more than 3ft.
| IP Water rating | Protected against | Effects |
| 5 | Water jets | Protected from water spray from small nozzles – think showers and taps |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Protected from more powerful water jets such as hoses, but not for full immersion in water |
| 7 | Immersion up to 3 ft | Protected against submersion in water up to 3ft or 1 meter for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Immersion more than 3 ft | Protected against submersion in water for depths greater than 3ft or 1 meter for 30 minutes. Manufacturers have to state the depth the device is protected to. |
Waterproof Phone Cases and Pouches
We'll stop you here – just don't. While waterproof phone cases can be pretty affordable, these seal-tight pouches aren't a smart choice if you're looking to take a phone underwater.
Most case and pouch manufacturers accept zero liability in case of liquid damage to your device – a clear sign of low confidence in their own product. They'll typically recommend you test out the pouch with a piece of tissue paper inside first, to test for leakage.
The heartbreak of damaging your phone isn't worth it. Plus, the cheap plastic covers on these waterproof cases and and pouches often reduce the picture quality you can get from your phone's camera.
If you're about to board a boat for a day and just want a safe pouch for your phone, in case water splashes over the side, then these products are perfectly fine. If you're looking to jump off the deck, don't trust a waterproof pouch to protect your phone when you hit the water.
What to Look for in a Waterproof Phone
There's a lot to consider when it comes to choosing a waterproof phone beyond its IP rating. While most of these devices are safe to drop in the toilet or spill a glass of water on, they vary widely when it comes to their others specs.
Processor
The brains of the smartphone, a processor can make all the difference to your day-to-day use of the device. If you want to run a lot of apps, take a lot of pictures, and avoid glitches and freezes, make sure your processor can handle how much you use your phone.
Screen Size
Big or small, curved or straight, notch or not, deciding on the right screen is key. If you're looking for an immersive experience, the bigger the better. Operating a phone camera underwater isn't easy, for example, so a larger screen may make things simpler.
Operating System
The age old question: iOS versus Android. At this point in the game, the choice is yours. They both have their own set of pros and cons, and loyalty seems to be the driving force these days. Apple has lagged behind on waterproof phones so far, but now that everyone has a stake in the game, waterproof supremacy is up for grabs.
Camera Quality
The latest generation of smartphones really stepped up the photo quality, and with phone camera snaps cropping up everywhere from billboards to Instagram, the manufacturers know that this is a feature that matters. If you're keen on underwater photography, your main challenges are reduced light, and being able to operate the camera itself. Fortunately, low-light picture quality and image stabilization have improved immensely in recent smartphones.
Security
Waterproof phones are secure against water and sand, but you'll want to know your device is safe if you leave it by your sunbed unattended. Picking a phone with adequate security measures, like a fingerprint reader or Face ID, could prevent you from having your identity, money, or data stolen. Both Apple and Google have strong phone tracking features now for finding a lost device or locking it remotely, too.
Why Aren't Waterproof Phones the Standard Yet?
With waterproof phones hitting the market, you'd think every mobile provider in the world would be jumping at the chance equip this game-changing technology. It stands to reason that every one with a smartphone would be clambering to get their hands on one of these splash-, dunk-, and drop-proof devices. But, unfortunately, it's just not that simple.
Waterproofing is all about keeping water out, but completely sealing a smartphone that can still make calls, play music, and generally function is – as Scott Havard, teardown engineer for iFixit, explained to CNET – nearly impossible.
“With enough pressure, you can push water molecules into the device,” says Havard.
Simply put, there's no way to guarantee a smartphone will stay impregnable enough to keep water out. Waterproofing smartphones isn't straightforward, and when something is hard in the consumer tech world, that means it's expensive. And therein lies the problem.
Making all phones waterproof to IP68, or even IP67 standards would bump up the prices significantly. It would be great to go scuba diving with your iPhone. But, unless everyone is willing to starting paying a whole lot more money for smartphones, you're going to have to leave it on land.
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