If you’re an outdoor adventurer, getting the best waterproof phone that can withstand exposure to water should also be a priority. Whether you’re dipping over the side of a boat or enduring the rigors of water sports, the last thing you want is to see water seeping inside and your expensive smartphone acting up.
Note: While many smartphones are rated IP68, it’s important to note that this rating can mean a number of things. IP68 picks up where IP67 leaves off: 1 meter of submersion for up to 30 minutes.
Manufacturers go a little further than that to get an IP68 rating, which is usually 1.5 meters of submersion for up to 30 minutes. Some, like the Apple iPhone, go even further and are rated for 6 feet of submersion.
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10 Best Waterproof Phones in 2025
1. Google Pixel 9 Pro
The Google Pixel 9 Pro finally comes with IP68 water resistance, you get Google’s latest Tensor G4 SoC, which is much more power-efficient this time around and isn’t as limited as the previous generation. That said, raw performance isn’t its core strength, and it still lags behind Qualcomm’s best.
The cameras have improved, though, especially the selfie camera, which now has a 42MP sensor. More importantly, Google’s software and AI wizardry ensures that this phone captures some of the best images possible.
Like the 8 series, the Pixel 9 Pro will get seven years of Android OS and security updates. The price has gone up, which could have been acceptable if Google had increased the base storage, but it didn’t. Wired charging is faster, and the 9 Pro comes in a swanky new color.
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t just a night and day upgrade, it’s also got some quality-of-life extras, like a flat touchscreen and a suite of AI features.
Whether it’s circles for searching or super slow-mo after the fact, the real magic here is in the software. Samsung also extended its software upgrade promise to seven years, ensuring this phone will be good for years to come.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is still the best flagship phone for those willing to spend money on uncompromising performance and quality. The 2024 model is smaller than its predecessor, but it improves on it in some interesting ways.
It features a new titanium frame and Gorilla Armor glass that’s not only more scratch-resistant but also reduces glare, allowing more of the screen’s peak brightness of 2,600 nits to shine through.
That’s especially true because the S24 Ultra’s screen is absolutely stunning. It’s the best smartphone on the market today, with rich, vibrant colors, a crisp 501ppi density, and a variable refresh rate that drops from the standard 120Hz to 1Hz for the always-on display.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is still a heavy beast, and the switch to titanium hasn’t reduced its weight, as Samsung already used lightweight aluminum in its previous models. Despite the new material, the dust and water resistance haven’t changed.
It’s still Samsung’s standard IP68, and the company certifies it as water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. It’s not the best on the market (Apple’s iPhones have always offered better IP68 numbers), but it’s still a perfectly respectable score, as it’s not hard to improve things by adding a sturdy waterproof case if you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach.
After all, this flagship smartphone can’t be beat in almost every way. The 200MP main camera takes amazing photos in the right conditions, even if it can be a bit inconsistent and unpredictable with moving subjects.
The custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for the Galaxy chip also provides plenty of power, so you’ll have no trouble playing the latest games on the spacious 6.8-inch screen or taking full advantage of Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features.
Even after a full day of intensive use, the battery is hard to run out of juice, and the S Pen is a joy for those who prefer sketching or jotting down thoughts rather than typing on the on-screen keyboard.
3. OnePlus 12
Last year, OnePlus impressed us with the OnePlus 11 and the OnePlus Open, both of which we really liked. But the OnePlus 12 builds on last year’s foundation in ways that actually matter.
It has a bright AMOLED display that rivals the best on the market, a great camera, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset that packs a ton of power. But more importantly, the battery life is incredible.
In our review, the OnePlus 12 lasted two days with normal use, and with intensive use, we were able to get over a day and a half between charges. And it charges very quickly. You can go from 15% to 100% in about 30 minutes. The included 100W charger will charge the phone to 50% in just over 12 minutes.
The only downside is the OnePlus 12’s IP rating. It’s only IP65, which is the lowest rating on this list. We’ll go into more detail about IP ratings below, but basically, the OnePlus 12 can survive splashes of water, while phones with an IP68 rating (like its biggest competitor, the Galaxy S24) can survive being submerged up to 1m deep.
Depending on how you use your phone around water, the OnePlus 12 could be a big deal for some, especially when there are so many alternatives. If you’re looking for a phone with decent water resistance and don’t plan on taking selfies in the pool, the great battery life and excellent camera make this a real winner.
Just make sure you get a good screen protector to keep that gorgeous AMOLED display safe.
4. Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
Samsung’s XCover6 Pro is a rugged phone from the popular smartphone maker, boasting IP68 water resistance and MIL-STD-810H durability. It also has a removable battery for continued use in the field when you can’t find a charger, and Samsung’s generous promise of updates is backed up by that.
The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is an oddball in Samsung’s lineup, trading the elegant sheen and polish of its flagship S24 model for a more utilitarian design that complements its MIL-STD-810H durability rating.
This is a particularly rugged smartphone, capable of withstanding drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures, but unlike the other rugged entries on our list, its water resistance rating is IP68, the same as Samsung’s flagships, and it’s certified for up to 1.5m/30min.
The specs of the XCover6 Pro don’t quite match those of Samsung’s similarly priced flagships, but that’s likely because you’re paying a premium for durability. Still, you get a respectable Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G that can handle everyday tasks and casual gaming, as well as a camera system that rivals the standard Galaxy S24 model.
It also has a removable battery, which is a nice touch for a modern smartphone, but the 4,050mAh cell will easily get you through a full day on a single charge, so you’ll probably want to consider buying a spare battery.
5. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is not only one of the most powerful phones on the market, it’s also one of the most water-resistant, capable of handling depths of up to 6 meters. Add to that an A17 Pro chip that can handle console-quality games, a 5x optical zoom, and (finally) a USB-C port.
As mentioned earlier, not all IP68 ratings are created equal. Each manufacturer has to decide how far they want to go beyond the basic standard, and Apple has done a lot better with its iPhones than its competitors.
With a water resistance of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has the highest IP68 rating of any smartphone on this list, surpassing the IP69K-rated models like the Nokia XR21 in terms of submersion depth, but not in terms of duration.
Apple’s iPhone ecosystem isn’t for everyone, but if you want the ultimate in weather protection without sacrificing performance, it’s hard to argue with a device that offers four times more water resistance than the best Android flagships.
Thanks to Apple’s new A17 Pro chip, it’s the first smartphone designed to handle console-quality games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and it’s lighter than ever thanks to its new titanium design.
You’ll also get the excellent iPhone Pro camera system, which has been improved this year with a 5x optical zoom. Finally, Apple has finally abandoned its proprietary Lightning port and embraced the welcoming arms of USB-C.
6. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
Asus’ latest model combines flagship specs with a package that’s no longer pocketable. But the Zenfone 11 Ultra has beefed up its specs in all the places that matter, whether it’s the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor or its vibrant 6.78-inch display.
Elsewhere, it’s IP68-rated, meaning it can survive a splash or a dive in the pool, and it’s got a surprisingly long-lasting 5,500mAh battery. Gone are the pocket-friendly days of the previous Zenfone. Asus goes head-to-head with the flagships with the super-sized Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Boasting a stunning 6.78-inch display, this phone is designed for multimedia consumption. And the battery is to match. In our review, we found that the 5,500mAh battery can actually last you a full day of aggressive use.
In terms of performance, you get the fastest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset on the market so far, which means the phone will be able to run any game or app quickly. Unfortunately, Asus hasn’t lived up to its hardware promises of software updates.
The clean Android 14-based operating system has plenty of options for customizing it, but there have only been two major software updates. That’s a shame.
The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra also has the usual IP68 rating associated with flagships. This rating guarantees that the phone can be submerged in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes. It’s not quite as good as what Apple offers, but it’s more than enough to survive a sudden rain shower or a dip in a swimming pool.
7. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Samsung dominates the high-end smartphone market, but its mid-rangers deserve just as much credit. Looking for a budget option that doesn’t compromise on display specs? Check out the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G. This budget Android phone boasts IP67 water and dust resistance and a host of other valuable features.
You won’t find a better display at this price point. The Galaxy A54 5G features a stunning 6.4-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness level of 1000 nits.
The built-in 5,000 mAh battery will keep the A54 5G going for days. Samsung offers this mid-range Android phone in 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB memory options.
The Galaxy A54 5G has a solid camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP wide-angle lens, and two 5MP portrait and macro lenses. All four sensors work very well, taking decent pictures in both bright and dark conditions. There’s no charger or audio port in the box, but these issues can easily be solved with a few additional accessories.
8. Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google’s Pixel 8 Pro is literally the brightest phone from the company in 2023. With a peak brightness of 2,400 nits, you’ll be able to see it without a problem, even on a sunny day. But that’s far from the best part. It’s the Tensor G3 that delivers incredible computational photography capabilities.
The Pixel 8 Pro is a great phone for anyone who wants to take the best possible photos without the hassle. That’s thanks to the powerful computational photography and AI capabilities Google has packed into its new Tensor G3 chip.
Not only will this enhance every photo you take, but it’ll also unlock new tools in post-processing, like the Magic Editor, which lets you remove or move objects in your photos to seamlessly fill in empty spaces.
The Tensor G3 won’t win any gaming speed contests, but it’s fast enough to deliver fast performance for all your everyday apps and tasks, and Google’s unprecedented commitment of seven years of updates should keep it running until Android 21 launches in a few years.
As for water resistance, the Pixel 8 Pro has the same official IP68 rating as most of the phones on this list, but the company doesn’t disclose the exact depth or duration of the water resistance it tested. When we asked, the company pointed us to the Google Store tech specs page, which simply says “IP68 dust and water resistant.”
That said, the 8 Pro should be able to withstand the typical 1m for 30 minutes, but it’s hard to say for sure how much further Google has gone. It’s likely to be at least as good as Samsung’s 1.5m certification, but we don’t know for sure. Either way, the IP68 rating ensures that it can withstand most everyday splashes, which is more than enough for us considering how good everything else about the phone is.
9. iPhone SE (2022)
The new third-generation iPhone SE packs the lightning-fast A15 Bionic processor from the 2019 flagship iPhone into the body of the iPhone 8. It also repurposes the iPhone 8’s design, so it can take advantage of its water resistance.
The phone is built to an IP67 specification, meaning it can withstand being submerged in 3.3 feet (1 meter) of water for 30 minutes.
But what makes the iPhone SE’s water resistance special is the handset’s low price. At $429, the iPhone SE is the most affordable IP-rated water-resistant iPhone you can buy (and it beats many cheap Android phones).
It also supports wireless charging and boasts an aluminum-and-glass design that looks incredibly premium compared to similarly priced Android phones.
10. Oukitel WP33 Pro
The Oukitel WP33 Pro is specifically designed for that rare breed of users who refuse to charge their phones every day. But that’s not all. Performance is satisfactory, the speakers are capable of playing music loudly up to 136 decibels, and the phone is as sturdy as it can be. Unfortunately, Oukitel can’t match the hardware with long-term software support.
The Oukitel WP33 Pro is not your typical rugged and water-resistant phone. It has a 22,000 mAh battery, which is larger than some of the best power banks. As expected, battery life is measured in days, not hours, and with careful use, you can get a week between charges.
Performance is decent too, with the mid-range Dimensity 6100+ and 8GB of RAM powering the show. Running a near-stock build of Android, there’s not much to get in the way of smooth everyday usability.
You can even play games on the 6.6-inch 1080p LCD. Unfortunately, the phone’s Achilles’ heel is its software support, or lack thereof. Running Android 13, this phone is already behind the curve.
The Oukitel WP33 Pro makes up for it in other ways. For example, it has a very loud speaker that can pump out music at up to 136 decibels. Not enough? There’s a built-in strap that’s very handy for carrying the phone around. You’ll need that too, considering the phone weighs a whopping 557g.
But Oukitel didn’t skimp on ruggedness. This phone is IP68, IP69, and MIL-spec rated, so it can withstand the rigors of the jobsite or your next outdoor adventure.
Conclusion
Waterproof phones come in a variety of models and specifications. The IP rating of a phone classifies the water resistance of the phone.
Different waterproof phones have different IP ratings and other specifications. In addition to water resistance, these phones also have the best processors, ample storage, high-quality cameras, and solid battery life.
