When buying a phone, many people make the mistake of confusing water-resistant for waterproof. A water-resistant phone can be disturbed by water to a certain extent, while a waterproof phone can be submerged in water without limitations. You may be asking yourself, “Is my phone actually waterproof?” Unfortunately, the answer is no, not quite. As of February 2021, there are no phones on the market that are truly waterproof. But many great phones just happen to be water-resistant.
The iPhone.
Six (phone) generations ago, people were so excited about the release of the iPhone 6S. They jumped to the conclusion that just because the new device is water-resistant, it could withstand going for a swim. A test ran by iFixYouri experts showed that the device performed well after being submerged in water for two minutes, except for the microphone and loudspeaker. These two hiccups solidify the fact that the iPhone has great water-resistance, but is NOT waterproof.
Apple has not released an official IP or Ingress Protection Rating for the iPhone 6, but it is predicted to have a rating of IP66. The higher the number, the more resistant a device is. Thankfully the iPhone has improved greatly since then.
iPhone 12 Line
The iPhone 12 line was released in October 2020 and has received praise for its camera quality, display, and durability.
It is rated as IP68 and can be submerged in 20 feet of water for 30 minutes without major damage done.
As a plus, the iPhone 12 is just as durable on land as it is in water, being that its Ceramic Shield display adds extra protection. For the best protection, consider getting a protective case.
iPhone 11 Line
The iPhone 11 also has a rating of IP68, but can only be submerged in 6.5 feet of water for 30 minutes without major damage done. The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have the same rating but can withstand 13 feet of water which is twice as much as the iPhone 11.
So if you are looking for a water-resistant phone but want to save hundreds, consider the iPhone 11.
The iPhone X Line
According to Apple, the iPhone X and iPhone XR have a rating of IP67 and can withstand a maximum depth of 3.2 feet for up to 30 minutes. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have a rating of IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 feet for 30 minutes.
What Apple Has to Say
On Apple’s informational page titled “About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later,” it states what to avoid to prevent water damage.
- Bathing and/or swimming with your phone
- Bringing your phone into contact with pressurized or high-velocity water (surfing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, etc.)
- Using your when in a sauna or steam room
- Purposefully submerging your phone in water (There is no need to bathe your phone)
Samsung Galaxy
Take note that the Samsung Galaxy is also praised for being one of the best water-resistant devices on the market.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: IP68; Can withstand 5 feet of water for 30 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S21: IP68; Can withstand 5 feet of water for 30 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: IP68; Can withstand 5 feet of water for 30 minutes
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: IP68; Can withstand 5 feet of water for 30 minutes
When shopping for a phone, if your priority is its durability, you will not have to look far or sacrifice too much money with a Samsung. The Galaxy FE starts at $699, while the Galaxy S20 Ultra starts at $1,399, even though they both have the same IP rating.
What Happens if My Phone Is Water Damaged?
If you mistook your device for being waterproof and now your phone won’t work properly, turn to iFIxYouri, where tech experts will repair your device for an affordable price, and best of all have it working like new in no time!
iFixYouri is located all throughout Florida. For those who are not close by, iFixYouri has a secure shipping system.
Is My Phone Actually Waterproof? By iFixYouri