Is my phone waterproof or water-resistant?

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You’ve accidentally dropped your phone in the loo, or maybe forgot to take your phone out of your pocket before chucking your jeans in the wash. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Most phones have some water resistance these days, right?

The terms ‘waterproof’ and ‘water-resistant’ are splashed around everywhere, but what exactly do they mean? Some mobile retailers have landed themselves in hot water with industry watchdogs, like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), for potentially misleading claims when it comes to marketing their latest ‘waterproof’ gadgets. The preferred phrase is ‘water-resistant’.

But water-resistant features won’t fully protect your phone every time it comes into contact with liquid. The device is also only likely to survive small spills – provided there aren’t already any major cracks. So, there is a big difference between the two terms. So, let’s take a deep dive into the issue to try to figure out what it means to have a waterproof and/or water-resistant phone.

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Is my phone waterproof?

Typically the answer is no – but it can resist some water. Your phone can usually handle some water before taking damage, although that doesn’t make it waterproof, rather water-resistant. Most flagship phones typically have an IP rating, determining how much water the device can be exposed to, be it through depth or through the exposure time. This rating information will typically be shown in your device manual, but if you’re still unsure we’ve got some information below.

What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?

Is there such a thing as a true waterproof phone? The short answer is no. The term waterproof implies that the device is pretty much immune to water damage, and covered up in a way that prevents total permeation by water. However, there are a variety of water-resistant phones capable of surviving a few spills, or possibly even the odd dip underwater. Models like the iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S22 are built to minimise water from easily leaking through and damaging the device as soon as it comes into contact with liquid. You can tell how water-resistant a phone will be by checking out its IP rating.

What is an IP rating?

Similar to the WELS water ratings you see on front loader machines and other appliances, many mobile phones receive an ‘Ingress Protection’ rating (IP) to indicate how well they’re designed to be dustproof and waterproof. The rating starts with the letters ‘IP’ and is followed by two numbers.

• The first digit represents the level of protection the phone is designed to provide against solid foreign objects that may enter the device, such as dirt or sand.
• The second digit refers to the level of protection against liquids, specifically fresh water.

The higher the score, the better.

But tests commonly conducted according to the International Standard (IEC) 60529 don’t necessarily factor in how well the phone can resist contact with other types of liquids, such as coffee, soft drink, alcohol or salt water. Typically if these liquids get into your phone, you’ll have to be very lucky to have them working.

Example: What is the iPhone 16’s IP rating?

So, let’s take the Apple iPhone 16. This carries an IP rating of IP68, higher than the rating previously seen on the older iPhone 8 and iPhone X, which were IP67. When it comes to protection against things like dust, and even sand, six is the highest rating a device can achieve. This means the iPhone 16 is technically constructed to protect against the entry of all solid foreign objects, as well as any potentially harmful parts such as electrical conductors. The device also gets top marks for water protection — with an eight — where the highest possible score for water damage is eight.

Compared to devices rated IP67 (like the iPhone 7), smartphones marked IP68 are claimed to better suit activities involving a longer period of submersion, because the level of water-resistance tested on these types of devices is based on ‘continuous immersion’. This is different to IP67-rated devices, which are judged on how well they can survive during temporary immersion. The IP67 rating applies more towards small spills, rather than the longer-lasting dives taken by IP68-marked phones.

What are the best waterproof and water-resistant phones?

So, which phones will sink or swim in the deep end? Here are some of the best-rated waterproof and water-resistant phones, according to the IP ratings provided by different brands.

iPhone 16, Plus, Pro and Pro Max

The entire iPhone 16 series, which includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, all feature an international standard rating of IP68 and can apparently be safely submerged up to 6m deep for a maximum of 30 minutes. While this technically means you could be able to take a few shallow underwater snaps without worries, if underwater photography is of interest, it might be worth investing in a waterproof camera instead.

However, there’s no need to worry about trading ‘older’ models in for the iPhone 16 series as many of Apple’s most recent iPhone models, such as the iPhone 15 series and iPhone 14 series, also carry the same waterproof rating as the most recent models. So, you can still pick up an iPhone that is a couple years old and enjoy the same peace of mind when it comes to water and dust resistance.

If you like the sound of the iPhone 16 series, you can pick it up on a plan from Telstra, Vodafone or Optus.

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra

Are you searching for a phone with water-resistance features that are out of this world? The Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra have IP68 ratings and claim to protect from dust and withstand up to 1.5m of water for no longer than 30 minutes.

The latest Samsung Galaxy series has certainly made a splash since its release, with each phone being 5G capable. Other Samsung smartphones which have a similar IP rating include the Galaxy S23 and S23+, Galaxy S22 and S22+ and the Galaxy Note 20 models.

Recently, Samsung has come under fire from the ACCC over its advertising around the water-resistance of several of its phones including the S10 series and devices manufactured between 2016 and 2019. In these advertisements, Samsung had included images of phones being used in and around oceans and swimming pools, yet advises on its website that it is not suitable for ocean or pool use. Generally water resistant features for phones are referencing fresh water only.

If you’re keen on the S24 series, a number of telcos have these devices available bundled with a phone plan.

Google Pixel 9 series

Like the rest of the smartphones mentioned in this list, the Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL each have an IP68 rating. This phone can be submerged up to 1.5m deep in water and includes dust resistance. The specific circumstances a phone can withstand usually vary between different manufacturers. Also, keep in mind that most electronic gadgets are apparently sealed in a way which allows a certain amount of water to safely pass through without causing any harm.

Looking to pick up the Pixel 9 series on a new phone plan? You can either buy your device outright or on a plan from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

What should I do if my phone gets wet?

Liquid damage can hit your phone anytime, be it the rain or your morning coffee. It’s not something generally covered under a phone’s warranty, which is what makes the addition of waterproof and water-resistant features more attractive. Here’s some things you should try if your phone gets water on or in it:

• Immediately after getting splashed with water, soak it up with a paper towel before it enters any small crevices in the phone (including around the screen, the SIM card slot and the headphone jack)
• Remove any removable parts, including the SIM card slot and the SD card slot, to give it the best chance of drying on its own
• Wait for it to dry, and see if your phone is working after some drying time

If your phone has been damaged by water, you can use our free comparison tool to shop for a new one. There’s also plenty of cheap phones out there now that you should consider as a replacement. Below you’ll find a table outlining some of the most popular phones on the Australian market right now, and how they fair as far as price and IP ratings go.