Some smartphones can come into contact with water without being damaged. In this guide, we list the best waterproof smartphones with good cameras.
In this post, I summarize the 7 best waterproof mobile phones on the market. The advantage of having a submersible mobile phone is that you can take it without fear to the beach, fishing, or the pool. Don’t forget that you can take stunning photos and videos with these smartphones because they also have the best cameras on the market.
Also, if you are careless and drop your smartphone easily, it is a great advantage since these phones are usually quite resistant. Therefore, they are also ideal for traveling, especially on adventure trips with possible rain, beaches, or storms.
Over the years, waterproof phones have gone from being a luxury reserved for high-end phones to a feature available on affordable and budget phones.
Now, you will find waterproof phones at a good price. The IP68 rating indicates that the phone can be submerged in water for at least 30 minutes. The depth varies from phone to phone.
The best IP68-certified phones with good cameras to take photos underwater
Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are the best options, outperforming others on the market. These submersible smartphones reach a depth of 4 meters for 30 minutes.
But there are plenty of alternative options, like Google or Huawei. Here I present to you the 8 best submersible and waterproof mobiles on the market. So you can enjoy your adventures and a more casual sports style as a child.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple has in its catalog the most exceptional waterproof phones on the market. A clear example is the iPhone 14 Pro Max, a device capable of submerging to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. A mobile that I found outstanding in its visual quality, with a 6.7-inch panel that shines to the fullest even outdoors.
One of its main attractions is the excellent integration of Dynamic Island. You can see the excellent treatment that Apple has put into this function in the system interface, which I found very useful. In addition, its A16 Bionic processor has excellent energy efficiency, consumes fewer resources, and has been sustained at all times.
This new model of the iPhone family is a sample of how Apple’s improvements are cumulative. Its changes are slight, but they can be perceived. Its performance is exceptional, as is its autonomy and its photographic system. There are a few limitations that can be mentioned, although the ProRAW function has been somewhat tedious for me.
Pros
- Despite its complex use, ProRAW offers great performance at the level of mobile photography.
- The power of its performance is outstanding.
- The screen has a fairly high maximum brightness and is very difficult to dull.
Cons
- Autonomy has a good level, but it is a section without improvements.
- ProRAW is tedious for the average user.
- The price is excessively high.
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen,. This is how the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is presented: an IP68 mobile with a familiar but minimalist and aesthetic design. Its finishes are of quality, and I have felt it is a resistant team. Also, I found it quite comfortable to hold.
Now, as far as its specifications are concerned, this Samsung mobile is positioned as one of the most prominent Android options. Its screen, with an adaptive refresh rate, shines and flows generously, as well as having impeccable sharpness. Likewise, its processor has given me enough raw power to play without limits and maintain a very stable temperature.
Like other submersible phones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is capable of supporting up to 30 minutes at depths of 1.5 meters. Added to that, it is a device with exceptional performance. It doesn’t evolve much compared to the previous generation, but I think that it relies on its excellent features to make good use of its resources.
Pros
- The 200 MP main camera is an exceptional performer.
- Qualcomm’s flagship processor lets you run anything.
- It enjoys good autonomy and is compatible with the S-Pen.
Cons
- A considerably high price.
- The One UI ROM is quite heavy, although its handling is acceptable.
- At the screen level, the device does not evolve compared to its predecessor.
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Huawei Mate 50 Pro
When it comes to waterproof and shock-resistant phones, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is worth mentioning. This device stands out for its ambitious set of cameras and its powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. It is a 6.72-inch model with an OLED panel and a 120 Hz refresh rate, which, in general, has made a very good impression on me.
On a visual level, it has offered me quality sharpness, brightness, and colorimetry. Although the screen has been very sensitive to me, causing ghost touches from time to time,. On the other hand, it enjoys a balanced, powerful, and good-volume sound, which is good for consuming multimedia. Plus, its performance pretty much flies without facing huge stability drops.
In the category of IP68 phones, this Huawei mobile has a lot to offer. In fact, it can dive to depths of up to 20 feet for 30 minutes, much like the iPhone. For the rest, it is a fairly competent and functional model, although I have felt the lack of Google services. Even so, its benefits are at a very high level.
Pros
- Autonomy to spare is supported by reverse, wireless, and fast charging.
- Its triple camera set can compete with the high quality of the Google Pixel.
- Performance does not drop seriously at any time during long days.
Cons
- It does not have Google services, and its operating system is not that ambitious.
- The curve of the screen gives way to ghost touches by the grip.
- It does not have 5G connectivity.
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Google Pixel 7 Pro
In Google’s high-end catalog, there are excellent-quality waterproof phones. A good example would be the Google Pixel 7 Pro, a 6.7-inch device with an OLED panel and a Tensor G2 processor that has IP68 certification, which allows it to dive to a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.
It is a mobile device that has offered me very enjoyable multimedia quality. Enjoy an adaptive refresh rate and Quad HD+ resolution. On the other hand, its double speaker has given me a highly powerful sound with a good maximum volume. Also, I find that its processor offers a decent experience in daily use, but it is less thermally efficient.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a device that integrates some improvements compared to its predecessor. Its handling flows with few bugs, and I consider that the quality of its cameras is one of the best in its range. In addition, its price makes it quite an attractive aquatic mobile. Its power and screen may not be the best, but the experience is still very good.
Pros
- Its 50 MP main camera has outstanding behavior.
- Android 13 flows greatly.
- A very balanced and complete device with good value for money.
Cons
- Exterior finishes get dirty easily.
- Despite their outstanding photographic quality, photos often contain noise.
- Loading times are not the best.
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Sony Xperia 10
With its 6-inch screen, the Sony Xperia 10 smartphone is the most elegant model in my selection. But that does not prevent it from being resistant to water and dust (IP65/68) for a duration of 30 minutes and up to 1.5 meters deep. It features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the strongest gorilla glass available today, which guarantees its resistance in the event of a fall or scratch.
Also, it is one of the best camera smartphones with its three different lenses (ultra wide angle, wide angle, and telephoto). It has a long battery life (24 hours in normal use). I found its interface particularly responsive. It’s also very easy to pick up, and although it’s the most expensive in my selection, it’s also the most sophisticated.
Pros
- Epic battery life
- Rare IP65/IP68 rating
- Bright OLED display
- Lightweight and compact
- Tough Gorilla Glass Victus display protection
Cons
- It feels expensive for what you get
- Inconsistent fingerprint scanner
- The video maxes out at 1080p/30fps
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OnePlus 9 Pro
With a 6.7-inch screen, the dimensions are inevitably large: 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 millimeters and weighing 197 grams. The iconic side slider to mute notifications remains, but overall ergonomics are acceptable.
The 4500 mAh battery (65W fast charging, 50W wireless charging) performs well but not brilliantly, also due to the QHD display. You will need to pay attention to your use of overnight stays.
The collaboration with Hasselblad is visible, but we are still slightly below the best, especially when it comes to color reproduction. The night mode improves, although the wide-angle lens is not up to the main sensor, lacking optical stabilization.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Great 6.7″ 120Hz screen
- Impressive ultra-wide camera
- Reliable, smooth, and quick software (OxygenOS)
- Loud stereo speakers
Cons
- Hasselblad’s involvement isn’t that noticeable
- Middling battery life
- Nightscape photos are inconsistent
- No microSD card slot or 3.5mm headset jack
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
It is definitely bulky (165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 millimeters and 22 grams in weight) and difficult to use with one hand. The increase in thickness has made it possible to incorporate an optical zoom lens that compensates for the compromises.
The battery is the same as that of the Galaxy S20 ultra, with 5,000 mAh, but thanks to the new processor, autonomy is not bad at all and allows up to 6.5 hours of screen time. No problem even on busy days, but with a few tricks, you can do more.
The quad rear camera is of the highest level: 108-megapixel main sensor (f/1.8), 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle (FoV 120 degrees) (f/2.2), 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom (f/2.4), and 10-megapixel 20x optical zoom with periscope system (f/4.9). The optical zoom is incredible, but only the wide-angle lens suffers in low-light conditions. Great videos.
Pros
- S Pen support (S Pen not included)
- Quad HD + 120Hz
- Blazing-fast fingerprint scanner
- Great battery life
- Excellent cameras
- Packs valuable software changes
Cons
- No microSD card slot
- Ads in Samsung software
- No charger included
- S Pen experience isn’t as good as the Note’s
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What is a waterproof mobile?
A waterproof phone is a device designed to withstand exposure to water without damage. These phones have special protection, usually indicated by an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, which measures their resistance to liquids and dust.
Waterproof phones can withstand splashes, rain, and even submersion in water for a certain time and to a specific depth, depending on their IP rating.
For example, a mobile with IP68 certification is capable of being submerged in water to a depth of up to 1.5 meters for a maximum of 30 minutes without suffering damage. These devices are ideal for people with active lifestyles, outdoor jobs, or simply those who want a phone that can withstand water-related accidents.
In short, choosing the right waterproof phone can make a huge difference in your experience and satisfaction. Do not forget to take into account the key factors mentioned in this buying guide to make the best decision. Do you have any experience or advice you want to share? Feel free to leave a comment and share this article.