Best waterproof phones 2024

Over the years, water resistance in phones has gone from being a luxury reserved only for top-shelf phones to a standard feature that's expected of any remotely expensive gadget. The formal certification called Ingress Protection or IP rating is the seal of approval given to a phone which ensures it can survive water splashes or even submerging under water, depending on the scale of the rating. 

We've rounded up the best waterproof phones in 2024, led by the fantastic Samsung Galaxy S24. Unlike before, waterproof phones are no longer restricted to the premium category as there are some good mid-range options that feature the same level of moisture resistance. Take a look at our list for more options that will fit any budget and lifestyle needs.

At a glance

Best overall

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the latest models in Samsung's Galaxy S family. While it doesn't share any camera hardware differences from the Galaxy S23, it does offer exciting new AI features, which are a staple and main selling point of the Galaxy S24 line.

The ProVisual Engine featured in each of the Galaxy S24 phones will assist in processing photos and videos and suggest compositions. The Super HDR lets users see real-time processing of colors, contrast, and brightness adjustments without even needing to snap a picture first.

More importantly, the Galaxy S24 has a near-perfect IP rating. Just make sure to avoid using it while snorkeling in the ocean or some pools — that IP rating won't offer any resistance to the effects of saltwater or chlorine.

If you want to add even more protection to your phone, make sure you get one of the best Galaxy S24 cases.

Best value

Samsung dominates the high-end smartphone market, but its mid-rangers deserve as much appreciation. Looking for something affordable that doesn't compromise on display specs? Take a look at the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G. This budget-friendly Android phone boasts IP67 water and dust resistance coupled with value-packed features.

You won't find a better display in this price bracket. The Galaxy A54 5G has a stunning 6.4-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness level of 1000 nits. The 5,000mAh battery inside keeps the A54 5G going for days. Samsung offers 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB memory options for this mid-range Android phone.

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 together and capture decent pictures in bright as well as low-light conditions. You don't get a charger in the box and there's no audio port, but these issues are easily fixed with some additional accessories.

Best premium

As great as the Galaxy S24 is, it should come as no surprise that the Galaxy S24 Ultra cranks it all up to 11. It has all the bells and whistles of the standard model and then some. In fact, we said in our review that it was the best Android phone you can buy.

Unlike the base model and the Galaxy S24 Plus, which have armor aluminium frames, the Galaxy S24 Ultra sports a titanium frame. It gives the phone a truly premium feel that really drives home how luxurious it is. This sense of luxury is enhanced even further by the sleek flattened display, a first for the Galaxy S series.

One of the biggest draws, however, is the anti-glare filter that comes exclusively with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The anti-glare filter creates a radical difference in screen quality when used in bright spaces, which makes it perfect for anyone using their phone underwater on sunny days.

And that's not to mention the S Pen that ships with the phone, which can't be used on either of the other models in the Galaxy S24 lineup. Couple all this with a great Galaxy S24 Ultra case and you'll have a phone that will make anyone envious. The only downside? The whopping starting price of $1,299.

Best camera

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is the latest in the Pro series, and it finally comes in two sizes — a standard Pro model and a Pro XL. The latter is actually a similar size as the 8 Pro while the 9 Pro has a smaller screen size. Many fans have been asking for a smaller Pro model since it's just easier to handle if you have smaller hands, and Google finally delivered this year. Other than the size of the display, battery capacity, and charging speeds, both sizes of the 9 Pro have identical features. 

Along with the IP68 water resistance, you get Google's latest Tensor G4 SoC which is a lot more power-efficient this time and doesn't throttle as much as the previous generation. Having said that, raw performance is still not its core strength and it lags behind the best from Qualcomm. The cameras have gotten better though, especially the selfie camera which now has a 42MP sensor. More than that, it's Google's software and AI magic that really makes this phone capture the best darn images.

Just like the 8 series, the Pixel 9 Pro will get seven years of Android OS and security updates. Prices have gone up, which would have been acceeptable had Google bumped up the base storage, but it hasn't. Wired charging speeds are quicker, and the 9 Pro comes in swanky new colors. 

Best battery

Last year, OnePlus impressed with the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus Open, both of which we absolutely loved. But the OnePlus 12 makes improvements that really build upon last year's foundation in a significant way. 

It has an incredibly bright AMOLED display that stands toe to toe amongst the best in the market, has a stellar camera, and packs a ton of power with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. More than that, however, it has an absolutely killer battery life.

We were easily able to get two days of battery with normal use out of the OnePlus 12 in our review, while heavy usage netted us over a day and a half of battery life between charges. And that charging is ultra fast — in around half an hour, it can go from 15% to a complete 100%. The included 100W charger charge the phone to 50% in a little over 12 minutes.

The only downside is the OnePlus 12's IP rating. With only a rating of IP65, it ranks among the lowest on this list. We'll go into IP ratings in full down below, but essentially, the OnePlus 12 can withstand being hit with jets of water while phones with IP68 ratings — such as its biggest contender, the Galaxy S24 — can withstand one meter of submersion.

Depending on how you intend to use your phone around water, the OnePlus 12 can be a huge deal breaker for some, especially with so many alternatives. If you're just after a phone with some decent water resistance and don't plan on snapping selfies in the pool, the superb battery life and outstanding cameras make this a real winner. Pick up a nice screen protector to ensure that gorgeous AMOLED display stays safe.

Best foldable

Samsung followed up its Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, improving on the device in a few ways. Most notably is the longer update commitment of seven years, a larger battery, and an official dustproof rating. It's all in a compact package that should appeal to those who pine away for small phones.

Samsung has been developing its folding screen technology for several years now, but it feels like the company has finally refined its design the best in this generation. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 sports an updated hinge design which makes it easier to open with one hand. The biggest change is the IP48 rating, which now certifies prevention of larger solid particles from entering the phone. The Z Flip 6 retains the same level of waterproofing from before, which is to say it can be submerged under water withouth any harm.

Aside from being tougher, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 has the same exterior display, a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and an improved primary camera. The battery capacity has also finally been increased, which means it lasts longer, which was a big criticism we had with the Flip 5. So if you're looking for convenience, portability, or a smaller form factor, this phone is for you. The new Motorola Razr 2024 is also worth checking out as it has an IPX8 rating and a larger cover screen, but it has its share of limitations which is why it misses our list. 

• Back to the top ^

How to choose

What do these ratings mean?

While no phone is truly waterproof, there are varying water resistance levels to consider when comparing different phones. Most models in this list are rated IP68, which denotes full dust resistance and allows the phone to survive up to 30 minutes in as much as two meters of water. Other phones rated IP67 offer the same dust protection but only half the submersion depth at a single meter. Keep in mind that with both, you need to be careful around saltwater as well as heavily chlorinated pool water.

You may also occasionally see IPX7, which protects against one meter of water but doesn't guarantee protection against dust. Some phones, like unlocked OnePlus 10 Pro models, are water-resistant to some extent but not officially IP-certified. This means it'll probably survive if you get caught in the rain or accidentally spill a drink on the table. Still, you shouldn't test your luck since you're unlikely to get very far with customer service if the water damage indicator inside the phone gets wet.

On that note, while water resistance is a great feature to have, it isn't a guarantee from the manufacturer that your phone will survive any and all immersion. Especially if your phone gets badly cracked or the water sealant inside gets damaged (this typically happens when removing the back for repairs), liquid can still seep in and ruin your phone — so take regular precautions with your phone, even if it's IP68 certified. And that knowledge may also make you consider some of the best cheap Android phones that may not have official IP ratings but have a lot going for them otherwise.

Which waterproof phone should I buy?

Whether you buy the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Google Pixel 9 Pro, or so many others, you'll be getting an incredible device that's water resistant in some capacity. In fact, even if none of these phones speak to you, there's still some excellent news: ingress protection is all but mandated in a flagship phone these days. So the next time you're shopping around, you can pretty much choose whatever phone catches your eye.

If you're shopping on a tighter budget, don't worry — there are still some options worth considering with at least moderate water resistance. For example, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is both water and dustproof thanks to its IP67 ratings. So while phones within this price range are less likely to have every feature under the sun, there are certainly excellent options out there.