Many phones survive being dropped in a pool or toilet, and some are marketed with pool photos. But "waterproof" is really water resistant, and how a phone copes depends on its rating, age, and what kind of water it meets.
What IP68 tests guarantee
IP68 means dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion under conditions set by the manufacturer, commonly:
- 1.5m for 30 minutes (many phones)
- 4–6m for 30 minutes (some recent flagships, e.g., certain iPhone Pro and Galaxy Ultra models)
Tests are done in still, fresh water at room temperature.
What real-world testing shows
Independent tests typically find that new flagships survive deeper and longer than rated in fresh water. But:
- Pools contain chlorine; the sea contains salt; both are harsher on seals and ports.
- Moving water (jumping in, waves, water slides) creates pressure spikes beyond still-water tests.
- Warm water (hot tubs, showers) makes seals expand and can force steam inside.
- Age and drops weaken adhesive seals over time.
Flagships vs rugged phones
| Flagship IP68 | Rugged IP68/IP69 | |
|---|---|---|
| Submersion | Good (1.5–6m) | Good–excellent |
| Port covers | No | Often yes |
| Drops + water | Seals may weaken after drops | Built to survive both |
| Underwater photos | Touch struggles underwater | Physical buttons help |
Photo by Serg Alesenko on Pexels
Taking photos in the pool
- Use the volume button as a shutter; touchscreens barely work underwater.
- Stay shallow and brief.
- Rinse with fresh water afterwards and dry thoroughly.
- For regular underwater use, buy a waterproof case.
After water exposure
- Rinse if salt or chlorine was involved.
- Shake gently and wipe dry.
- Don't charge until the port is dry (watch for moisture warnings).
- Let speakers clear, or use a water eject feature/tone.
- Avoid heat guns and rice.
Warranty warning
Most manufacturers don't cover water damage, even on IP68 phones. Treat water resistance as accident protection, not a swimming feature.
Video tests
Summary
IP68 phones survive accidental dunks in fresh water, and many exceed their ratings when new. Pools, the sea, heat and ageing seals reduce protection. Use cases for underwater photography and don't rely on warranty.
Compare water-resistant phones on infozme's top-rated phones.
Cover photo by Sergey Meshkov on Pexels. This article was written with the help of AI.
Top comments (0)