The best waterproof phone is the Samsung Galaxy S10. It combines the best display with plenty of power and a versatile camera suite, all in a waterproof, IP68-rated package that can survive a dunk in water up to 1.5 meters in depth for up to 30 minutes without sustaining any damage. If you prefer an iPhone or want something more rugged, we have alternatives for you below.
We have tested hundreds of different phones at Digital Trends and so we can confidently recommend the best for you. These phones have sustained spills, rain, and dunks without showing any signs of mistreatment, though it’s important to note that water resistance applies to fresh water and it’s never a good idea to deliberately submerge your phone.
Best waterproof phones at a glance
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- Best waterproof phone overall: Samsung Galaxy S10
- Best waterproof iPhone: iPhone XS
- Best rugged waterproof phone: Caterpillar Cat S61
- Best waterproof case for your phone: Lifeproof Fre
The best: Samsung Galaxy S10
Why should you buy this: It’s a curved beauty with plenty of power and an unbeatable display.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a high-powered flagship phone that’s waterproof.
Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy S10 :
Do you want a gorgeous smartphone with the latest tech inside, plus a super-curvy screen? Then pick up the Galaxy S10 or the S10 Plus. These stunning smartphones have IP68 certification, which means they can survive in up to 1.5 meters of water for around 30 minutes.
The S10 boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor with 8GB of RAM. It also has an excellent triple-lens camera on the rear, combining two 12-megapixel lenses and a 16-megapixel wide-angle lens, as well as a 10-megapixel camera on the front. The S10 Plus has a dual-lens front-facing camera. On the software side, it runs Android 9.0 Pie, with Samsung’s own user interface over the top, making it look a little different than Android on other phones.
The best waterproof iPhone: iPhone XS
Why should you buy this: Apple’s latest iPhone is simply the best iPhone that money can buy.
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a water-resistant iPhone.
Why we picked the iPhone XS:
Apple jumped on board a bezel-free smartphone future when it released the iPhone X. The iPhone XS features the same gorgeous design, but with a little more power under the hood and an even better IP68 water resistance rating which means it can survive submersion in water up to 2 meters in depth for up to 30 minutes without damage.
The OLED screen’s deep inky blacks and vibrant colors make it hard to pull your eyes away from it, and Apple’s True Tone tech changes the color warmth of the screen to account for the ambient lighting around you. But it’s not all about the 5.8-inch screen.
The best rugged waterproof phone: Caterpillar Cat S61
Why should you buy this: It’s the most rugged phone you can buy, with solid drop protection and water resistance.
Who’s it for: Climbers, hikers, construction workers, and clumsy people who love the outdoors.
Why we picked the Caterpillar Cat S61 :
If all you care about is a phone that will still work after it gets dropped, bashed about a bit, or dropped in quite a lot of water, then the Cat S61 is definitely the phone for you. It’s extremely chunky, but the IP68 rating is good for 60 minutes in water down to a depth of 5 meters (16 feet), plus the MIL-STD-810G rating keeps it safe from dust, radiation, and shocks. The tough body will treat a fall from 6 feet onto concrete like it was nothing.
By chance, if during all this abuse the need for thermal imaging arises, the S61 will step up to this task as well. In a partnership with sensor company Flir, the S61 has an unusual thermal camera alongside its standard 16-megapixel shooter. It works with a special app to show heat palettes, temperature, and hot spots, which can come in handy for all sorts of professions, from vets to car mechanics.
The rest of the phone isn’t quite so high spec as the others on our list. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor and 4GB of RAM provide the power, while the 5.2-inch screen has a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution. However, no one will be buying the S61 for top specs or outstanding style. It’s all about survival, and the S61 is built to withstand almost anything.
The best waterproof case for your phone: Lifeproof Fre
Why should you buy this: Cheaper than getting a new phone, it’s a fast and convenient way to add protection.
Who is it for: Anyone who doesn’t want to switch out their phone, but wants to protect it from the elements.
Instead of hunting around for a cheap phone that provides water resistance, why not just buy the phone you want, and put it in a waterproof case? There are various options out there, but we like the following three choices.
The Lifeproof Fre promises to protect against water, dirt, snow, and sharp impacts. It covers the whole of your phone, including the screen and all the ports, so be prepared for an increase in overall size and weight. It’s a small price to pay for such a high level of protection. LifeProof Fre cases are available for most of Samsung’s Galaxy range, along with all iPhone models from the iPhone 5 on, plus the Google Pixel phones and a few other models.
Catalyst cases are a great alternative to LifeProof, and come in versions suitable for all iPhone models since the iPhone 4. There are even cases for the Apple Watch and the iPad range. Tested to IP68 levels and a depth of 10 meters (33 feet), the cases protect against water, snow, dust, and dirt. Catalyst has paid attention to the little things, like ensuring Touch ID still works as you want it to, and the camera lens cover is of high enough quality to not ruin any pictures.
If a custom waterproof case isn’t available for your phone, or you want a really cheap, reliable system, then get a universal “dry bag” type case, which seals your phone inside a pouch and keeps all the elements out.
IP What? What those IP ratings actually mean
When we talk about waterproof hardware, we often refer to an IP rating. This stands for Ingress Protection, and is usually followed by a number, which refers to its ability to withstand water and dust. The first digit relates to solid particle protection and the second digit to liquid.
All the phones on our list meet IP67 or IP68 standards. IP numbers that start with a six mean the device features complete protection from dust, and will ward off particles to the extent where none can find its way in. It’s the highest rating currently available, and is considered “dust tight.”
To meet the IPx8 standard, the device must continue to function normally after being left in water “continuously,” although the exact details are usually down to the manufacturer. For example, Samsung says the Galaxy S9 “can be immersed in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.” Drop that down to an IP67 rating, and the depth changes to a meter, and protection is only for a short time.
How we test
Keys, wallet, smartphone. That’s how the mantra goes when most of us leave the house, ensuring nothing essential has been left behind. Because our phones are now such an important part of our everyday life, choosing the right one requires the same degree of research as a new car, or a new computer. We know this, which is why each phone we review becomes part of our everyday life. We want to tell you what it’s like to live with, before you put down your money.
We check our emails, play games, take photos (lots of photos), browse social media, watch video, and much more to see how the phone performs in the situations you will most often encounter. On the technical side, we’ll check the benchmark results and dive more deeply into the software, but it’s regular use that tells us what we want to know.
From this, and similar experience with other devices on the market, we can advise you on which model to buy. If it’s not worth it, we’ll say, and let you know the reason. You’ll know if we love it too, because we’ll sing its praises repeatedly. We use our phones all the time, and form quite an attachment to them, so the decision on which one to buy isn’t to be taken lightly.
