What Cell Phone Is Waterproof? | The IP Rating Reality

You came here to know whether your phone can survive a dunk in the sink, a drop in the pool, or an unexpected rainstorm. It’s why you searched what cell phone is waterproof, and the honest answer is a little more complicated than a simple brand name.

Start by understanding the labels. Manufacturers refuse to say “waterproof” because it implies unlimited protection. Instead, they use IP ratings that specify exact limits. So, when you see “IP68” on a flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro, it means the phone is sealed against dust and can sit in fresh water at a set depth for a set time. It does not mean it’s invincible.

What Do IP68 And IP67 Ratings Actually Mean?

The “IP” stands for Ingress Protection, and the two digits that follow are a scientific code, not a marketing badge. The first digit (6) is the highest rating for dust-tightness. The second digit is the water-resistance score, and that’s where the numbers differ.

For phones, you’ll most often see two numbers on the spec sheet: IP67 and IP68. The difference is about depth and time. Apple uses a similar standard for its iPhones.

That extra 0.5 meters of depth between IP67 and IP68 matters. It’s the reason a phone rated IP68 handles a drop into a deeper pool or a quick dip in the ocean shallows slightly better than an IP67 phone, though both have strict limits.

Which Phones Are Water Resistant Right Now?

If you want the most water-resistant phone you can buy today, you’re looking at the flagship tier from Apple and Samsung. Both the newest iPhone 15 series and the Samsung Galaxy S24 or S25 series carry top-tier water-resistance ratings. But it’s not just the $1,000+ phones that survive splashes.

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Why Your Phone Isn’t Guaranteed To Survive Every Splash

Here’s the uncomfortable truth that manufacturers warn about in their fine print. An IP rating is determined in a lab with perfectly sealed, brand-new test devices. It is not a real-world guarantee, and your ratings window can close faster than you think.

Your phone’s water-resistance is a fragile system of rubber gaskets and adhesives. Every time you drop your phone hard on concrete, sit on it, or crack the SIM tray, you can compromise that seal. Taking your phone to a repair shop where the screen is replaced with a third-party part often destroys the water-resistance permanently. Apple and Samsung both state that liquid damage is not covered under standard warranty, and that resistance can diminish over time with normal wear.

Even within the test limits, there are rules. Phone makers usually specify that the water must be fresh, clean water. Saltwater from the ocean, chlorinated pool water, soapy water, and even some beverages corrode the internal connectors and the external speaker grilles faster than clean water. If your phone does get dunked in anything other than tap water, the smartest move is to rinse it gently with fresh water afterward to wash away the residue, then dry it thoroughly with a cloth. Never charge a wet phone; wait until the ports are dry.

See Which Options Fit Your Budget

If a water-resistant phone is a must-have, you don’t need to chase the most expensive flagship to check that box. Whether you’re shopping on a tight budget or ready to buy a top-of-the-line model, a new phone with an official IP rating is a solid starting point. Compare the models that fit your budget and how they back up their resistance claims at our tested roundup of cell phones for the USA.