Best waterproof phones 2024

Quick Menu

Pixel 8, 8 Pro, Pixel 7a, and Nothing Phone (2)

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

1. At a glance
2. Best overall
3. Best value
4. Best premium
5. Best camera
6. Best battery
7. Best foldable
8. How to choose

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. We've rounded up the best waterproof phones in 2024, led by the fantastic Samsung Galaxy S24. Take a look at our list for more options that will fit any budget and lifestyle needs.

At a glance

Best overall

Hands-on with the smaller Samsung Galaxy S24

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

1. Samsung Galaxy S24

Best overall

Specifications

Display size: 6.2"
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Memory: 8GB RAM, 128/256GB Storage
Battery: 4000mAh
IP Rating: IP68

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset
+
Seven years of software and security updates
+
Exciting AI features

Reasons to avoid

-
No S Pen support

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

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G's display outdoors

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best value

Specifications

Display size: 6.4"
Processor: Samsung Exynos 1380
Memory: 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB Storage
Battery: 5,000mAh
IP Rating: IP67

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display
+
Stellar battery life
+
Great build quality with IP67 water resistance
+
Decent cameras
+
Guaranteed major platform updates for four years

Reasons to avoid

-
Lower IP rating than other options
-
Doesn't come with a charger
-
No headphone jack
-
Performance dips while gaming

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

Microsoft Edge Canary on Galaxy S24 Ultra

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)
Best premium

Specifications

Display size: 6.8"
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Memory: 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
Battery: 5,000mAh
IP Rating: IP68

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning display screen
+
Incredible anti-glare filter
+
Powerful AI tools
+
Great camera
+
S Pen is included

Reasons to avoid

-
Camera can't reliably capture motion
-
Expensive

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+, 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

Google Pixel 8 Pro porcelain colorway

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best camera

Specifications

Display size: 6.7"
Processor: Google Tensor G3
Memory: 12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB Storage
Battery: 5,050mAh
IP Rating: IP68

Reasons to buy

+
IP68 water resistance
+
Material You is beautiful
+
Top-end camera quality back and front
+
Fast wireless charging
+
Fantastic value

Reasons to avoid

-
Tensor processor still isn't great for gaming
-
Built-in temperature sensor doesn't work well in all cases

The Google Pixel 8 Pro represents the very best of Google's software, and it looks sleek, too. The hardware is no slouch either; that IP68-rated exterior will protect your phone from dust and water ingress better than most "value flagships." The 12GB RAM coupled with the custom silicone from Google, Tensor G3, delivers plenty of performance.

Along with the water resistance, you get a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy SoC, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The cameras outperform many higher-priced flagships, even if they take a teeny bit of time to deliver the results. And as icing on the cake, the Galaxy S23 is guaranteed to receive four years of OS updates, securing your investment for years to come.

Just about the only downsides to this upper-tier masterpiece is its sub-par gaming performance and the fact that the built-in temperature is more fun than useful for now. The phone looks fabulous on its own, but with one of the best Pixel 8 Pro cases, you can even further personalize the look and add another layer of protection.

Best battery

OnePlus 12 camera island next to OnePlus 11

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Best battery

Specifications

Display size: 6.82"
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Memory: 12GB/16GB RAM, 256GB/512GB Storage
Battery: 5400mAh
IP Rating: IP65

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous AMOLED display
+
Powerful chipset
+
100W wired and 50W wireless charging
+
Huge battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Significantly lower IP rating than other phones

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

The power menu on the Galaxy Z Flip 5

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Best foldable

Specifications

Display size: 6.7" screen; 3.4" cover display
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB/512GB Storage
Battery: 3,700mAh
IP Rating: IPX8

Reasons to buy

+
Compact size that's great for one-handed use
+
IPX8 water resistance
+
Excellent build quality
+
Great camera setup
+
Optimized software for form factor with four years of updates

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life isn't great
-
No dust resistance

Samsung followed up its Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, improving on the device in many ways. Most notably is the larger flex window, no-gap design with a better hinge, and twice as much storage for the base model. 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 this is the generation where the company has finally nailed it. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 sports more durable hinges and glass than previous versions, and it is the third Flip with built-in water resistance — IPX8, to be exact. This will protect your phone from an odd splash or some light rain, but don't think you can take it swimming with you. You will also need to guard against dust ingress, a tougher problem to solve with a folding phone.

Aside from being tougher, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a larger and more useful exterior display, the robust Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 processor, and surprisingly capable cameras. So if you're looking for convenience, portability, or a smaller form factor, this phone is for you.

How to choose

What do these ratings mean?

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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 8 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.

Jeramy Johnson
Editor-in-chief

Jeramy was the Editor-in-Chief of Android Central. He is proud to help *Keep Austin Weird* and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand.

With contributions from
  • fuzzylumpkin
    The best waterproof phones are the friends we made along the way.

    Also, water resistant is not the same as waterproof.
    Reply