The best waterproof phones means you don't have to worry about getting your phone wet. Yes, most smartphones can be wrapped in an underwater housing, but that's a lot of hassle, and it makes the screen more difficult to use. Thankfully, the latest flagship phones from Apple, Google and Samsung are all waterproof, so you're covered whether you drop your phone in a puddle, down the toilet, or even (depth depending) the swimming pool.
The key measure of waterproofing you want to look for are the ingress protection standards IP67 or IP68. The ‘6’ in these means (a little confusingly) no harmful dust should get into the device across eight hours. The '7' is the thing that applies to water; and means it can withstand immersion up to 1 meter (3.3ft) for up to 30 minutes. The '8', meanwhile, means it can withstand immersion over a meter, with a requirement for a stated depth.
In other words, the IP68 is able to handle water pressure up to a point, IP67 can have a brief excursion in shallow water and – to head the other way on the scale – IP66 can cope with a spray of water but no depth. (We'd describe the later as water-resistant, rather than waterproof.)
Also watch out for so-called ‘water repellence’ . This refers to a ceramic hydrophobic nano-coating (unsurprisingly, not all manufacturers use every word of that) which repels particulate including water droplets. Ceramic-based coatings don’t hurt, but aren’t enough to earn IP67 or above.
Best waterproof phones in 2024
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Best waterproof phone overall
Gone are the days when you had to worry about dropping your iPhone down the toilet or into a pool of water. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max boast IP68 water resistance, which means you can submerge them down to six meters for up to half an hour without any issues.
With pretty much identical specs (other than size), these latest Apple smartphones are designed with photography enthusiasts and professionals in mind. Camera-wise, you get an impressive camera system, including a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens, and a TOF 3D LiDAR scanner for depth. The front camera is a 12MP unit with an SL 3D depth sensor for added functionality. You also benefit from optical image stabilisation and computational photography tools that enhance image flexibility both during and after shooting. They support advanced formats like RAW and ProRes Log video and offer 120fps 4K video recording.
The 6.9-inch display with a reduced bezel and low-light mode can dim the screen to just 1 nit, making it ideal for nighttime use. Both models share powerful internals, USB-C connectivity, studio-quality microphones, and a smooth 120Hz ProMotion display. The new Camera Control button is another standout addition, providing tactile adjustments like EV compensation and mimicking the functionality of traditional cameras.
Ultimately, these phones are very expensive, and their capabilities will be overkill for casual users. But if you want the very best waterproof phone today, here's where to come.
Best waterproof Android phone
Prefer Android to Apple? The Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are IP68 dust and water-resistant, and can withstand a dunk of up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. Plus they're very lovely phones to boot.
The two phones deliver nearly identical experiences in camera performance, battery life, and core features, differing only in size. Both feature a robust triple-camera setup with advanced AI tools like Video Boost and Zoom Enhance, elevating photo and video quality to near iPhone Pro standards. The cameras excel in zoom, night photography, and panoramas, while a new 42MP selfie camera enhances front-facing performance.
The screens, measuring 6.3 and 6.8 inches respectively, offer vibrant visuals with HDR10+ support and exceptional brightness. Other highlights include design upgrades include a flat display and a matte glass back, and IP68 durability.
Despite some limitations including modest storage options and a lack of Qi 2 wireless charging, these stand out as top compact camera phones, offering long-term value with Google’s seven-year software support. To learn more, read our Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL review.
Best waterproof Samsung phone
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is another premium Android phone that's nicely waterproof. Water and dust resistant with an IP68 rating, it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. And it also offers stunning design, exceptional performance, and cutting-edge features.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, this phone boasts a flat AMOLED display with an anti-reflective coating, a durable titanium frame, and impressive AI-driven tools for productivity and photography. Camera highlights in this latest model include a new 50MP 5x telephoto lens, delivering sharper zoom and better low-light performance than the S23 Ultra.
8K video recording, AI image editing, and advanced multitasking features further set this device apart, but the steep price might deter some. If you're a fan of Samsung's phones, though, you won't find finer. Read our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review to learn more.
Best budget water-resistant iPhone
The iPhone SE (2020), or SE2, is more or less built on the old shell of the iPhone 8 (2017), which looks a little compact these days. That said, the design – screen surrounded by speaker and fingerprint scanner on black cars – is virtually iconic, and the case is waterproof to IP67 standards. This means it can withstand being submerged in up to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes.
Camera-wise, the iPhone SE is somewhat ordinary, with a single camera which does fine until things get dark and, to its credit, can capture 4K video at 60fps. However, the chipset is very snappy, making everything run fast and smoothly, and wireless charging is included. All this in a very budget-friendly little device.
Best rugged phone
Worried about more than just water? The Doogee S96 GT is our top choice for anyone seeking a waterproof phone that also has a rugged build.
Beyond its waterproof capabilities, this phone is nearly indestructible, compliant with military-grade drop-proof standards (MIL-STD-810H). It’s designed for durability, with a metal and TPU body that withstands extreme environments, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or those working in demanding conditions. The long-lasting battery life, powerful Sony sensors, and impressive 20 MP night vision camera further make it versatile for adventurers or photographers exploring low-light and challenging settings.
As for waterproofing, not only does it meet IP68/IP69K standards, making it resistant to dust and capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, but it also excels in its ability to capture photos and videos underwater. Its dedicated underwater camera mode allows users to take photos using volume buttons, enhancing usability in wet conditions.
See also the Best rugged phones
