The Best Water-Resistant & Waterproof Phones 2025
Many smartphones are water resistant and come with an official IP certification as an indicator of how resistant the device is. IP (ingress protection) is a scale of how well protected a device will be against water and dust.
Whether it’s a sudden downpour, an accident with a spilt drink, or you’ve chucked your jacket in the wash with your smartphone still inside – there are all sorts of reasons a water-resistant handset can come in handy.
We’ve curated a selection of the best water-resistant and waterproof phones on the market, helping you find the ideal handset for your aquatic needs. You’ll find the below devices, and more, in our diverse collection of contract and refurbished phones.
How to look after a phone if exposed to water
Should your phone end up submerged in water for any period of time, always dry it with a cloth or towel as soon as possible to avoid lasting damage.
If your device is exposed to saltwater or chlorinated water, clean it with fresh water first and then dry it down. Salt can be especially damaging to a phone’s circuits, so it’s vital to clear away any salt residue.
Best overall water-resistant phone
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Specifications
• Release date: September 2024
• IP rating: IP68
• Dimensions: 163 x 77.6 x 8.25mm
• Weight: 227g
• Display size and resolution: 6.9” Super Retina XDR; 2868 x 1320
• OS: iOS 18
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
• CPU: A18 Pro
• RAM: 8GB
• Battery: 4,685mAh
• Rear cameras: 48MP (main) + 48MP (ultra-wide) + 12MP (telephoto)
• Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
• IP68 rating
• Stunning 6.9” display
• Useful AI features
Things to consider
• Given its price tag, consider pairing the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a case to further protect it from the elements
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is fully equipped to accompany you on your travels, whether it’s in a downpour or around the pool. Our pick for the best water-resistant phone is IP68-rated and can be submerged up to 1.5m for 30 minutes, so you can rest easy knowing it’ll brush off significant damage without breaking a sweat.
Beyond the IP rating, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the premium durability features to back up its premium price tag. The titanium frame provides unrivalled protection against scratches, and the Ceramic Shield on the front screen impressed us with its ability to withstand impacts. If you’re wanting to buy the best of the best, here it is.
Best water-resistant Android phone
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Specifications
• Release date: February 2025
• IP rating: IP68
• Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm
• Weight: 218g
• Display size and resolution: 6.9” Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3120 x 1440 pixels
• OS: Android 15
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
• RAM: 12GB
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Rear cameras: 200MP + 50MP + 50MP + 10MP
• Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
• IP68 rating
• Fantastic performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU
• Impressive array of cameras
Things to consider
• The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s battery is the same as the one found in the S24 Ultra. Whilst this doesn’t represent an upgrade, it remains a fantastic battery with plenty of juice
Whether you’ve owned a Samsung phone before or want to dive in for the first time, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is by far and away the best water-resistant handset from the brand. Like Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung’s flagship handset from the S25 series comes with IP68 water and dust resistance. We had no concerns dipping the S25 Ultra, fully confident it would come out unscathed and work as normal.
Also key to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s durability credentials is Corning Gorilla Glass Armour, which protects the front display. Based on Corning’s tests, Gorilla Glass Armour can more efficiently shield screens from drop damage compared to previous versions of Gorilla Glass. We can safely say the Galaxy S25 Ultra came away unfazed from multiple drops, allowing us to easily crown it the best water-resistant Android phone.
Best value water-resistant phone
Google Pixel 9a
Specifications
• Release date: April 2025
• IP rating: IP68
• Dimensions: 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm
• Weight: 186g
• Display size and resolution: 6.3” pOLED Actua; 1080 x 2424 pixels
• OS: Android 15
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• CPU: Google Tensor G4
• RAM: 8GB
• Battery: 5,100mAh
• Rear cameras: 48MP + 13MP
• Front camera: 13MP
Reasons to buy
• IP68 rating at this price is superb
• Excellent AI features
• Large battery capacity
Things to consider
• The camera array on the Pixel 9a is a bit more limited than those on the base Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, so keep that in mind if photography is important to your smartphone experience.
If you’re buying on a budget, the Google Pixel 9a is our top water-resistant phone pick. For a snip of the price you’re getting an IP68 rating and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the display, enabling the Pixel 9a to shrug off most knocks and dunks in water. We were pleasantly surprised to see these durability features in the Pixel 9a’s price range, making it an easy budget recommendation.
In our review, we highly praised the Pixel 9a as one of the most affordable ways to enjoy AI on-the-go, and this remains true. Google has lead the way when it comes to AI, with useful standout features such as Circle To Search and Gemini that can significantly enhance productivity and creativity. Given that Google often supports their devices with multiple years of software updates, too, you’re getting a lot for your money.
Best budget water-resistant iPhone
iPhone 16e
Specifications
• Release date: February 2025
• IP rating: IP68
• Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm
• Weight: 167g
• Display size and resolution: 6.1” Super Retina XDR; 2523 x 1170 pixels
• OS: iOS 18
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB
• CPU: A18 chip
• RAM: 12GB
• Battery: 4005mAh
• Rear cameras: 48MP fusion camera
• Front camera: 12MP
Reasons to buy
• Excellent build quality
• Performs brilliantly when multitasking or gaming
• Incredibly lightweight
Things to consider
• Battery life on the iPhone 16e isn’t quite in the big leagues, but it can still easily last most of the day before needing to be recharged
The iPhone 16e should not be underestimated when it comes to durability, despite not being in the upper echelons of the 16 series. This phone carries the same superb design sensibilities as its sibling handsets, complete with IP68 water resistance and an aluminium frame.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 16e is noticeably lighter than sister devices like the base iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, and this is important because it adds immense value to our recommendation here. Some lightweight phones can come across as flimsy and instil a feeling of fragility, but the iPhone 16e doesn’t do this. The Ceramic Shield on the front screen, alongside the aforementioned aluminium frame, play huge roles in protecting the iPhone 16e while preserving the lightweight feeling that makes it so pocket-friendly.
Best water-resistant flip phone
Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
Specifications
• Release date: April 2025
• IP rating: IP48
• Dimensions: 171.48 x 73.99 x 7.19mm (open); 88.12 x 73.99 x 15.69mm (closed)
• Weight: 199g
• Display size and resolution: 7” Super HD (main display); 4” pOLED (cover display)
• OS: Android 15
• Refresh rate: 165Hz
• Storage: 512GB
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite
• RAM: 16GB
• Battery: 4700mAh
• Rear cameras: 50MP + 50MP
• Front camera: 50MP
Given their folding design, flip phones pose an interesting challenge when it comes to water resistance and durability. Not only do you need to ensure the phone is protected in its traditional unfolded mode, it must also give peace of mind when folded, too. The Motorola Razr 60 Ultra excels in both of these areas and is easily our pick for the best water-resistant flip phone on the market.
This handset comes with an IP48 rating, so it can comfortably withstand a dunking so long as you towel it down afterwards. The rear of the Razr 60 Ultra is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which helps to shield the device from bumps and scratches.
These were our picks for the best water-resistant and waterproof phones you can buy. If you want to learn more about your phone’s design features, such as the bezel, take a look through our other expert guides.
FAQs
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant phones?
Water-resistant phones can withstand limited water exposure, but should not be submerged. Waterproof phones can be dunked in water for upwards of 30 minutes depending on the IP rating.
The general rule of thumb is to look at the phone’s IP rating; if it says IP68, the device can be submerged for 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5m. If the second digit in the rating is less than 8, we would advise not submerging it at all.