Is the Google Pixel 10a waterproof?

What does an IP68 rating mean?

With an IP68 rating, the Google Pixel 10a is dust-tight, so you can comfortably use it on the beach or in dusty situations without worry that dust particles will damage it. Still, proceed with caution, of course, especially with larger particles that can scratch the screen. And wipe down and sanitize the phone as often as you can.

As for water, it can be submerged to a depth of up to 2 meters for up to 30 minutes. This means you can confidently check your messages by the poolside with wet hands without worry. If there's an accidental dunk in the toilet or you want to play Candy Crush while you soak in the tub, that's fine, too. (Though you should rinse the phone after a toilet drop!) You can even take quick pics underwater as long as you don't keep the phone submerged.

That said, while you can use the phone in water, try to limit exposure if you can. Wipe the phone dry any time it gets wet. Keep it away from saltwater, such as the ocean, as water-resistant ratings apply only to freshwater sources; salt can corrode components. Don't expose it to water at extreme temperatures, like a hot tub. And consider investing in a waterproof case or pouch if you plan to use it in water for extended periods of time, even if the duration falls within the indicated 30-minute time limit.

Also, keep in mind that water-resistant ratings degrade over time, so the older the phone gets, the less resistant it will be. You won't have to worry about that now, of course, since the Google Pixel 10a is brand new. But it's worth considering if you want to extend the device's life, especially since it comes with seven years of software and security updates.

An IP68 rating isn't the highest you can get: phones like the OnePlus 15 meet both IP68 and IP69/IP69K ratings. This means it can withstand not only submersion but also high-temperature, high-pressure water jets at close range. This is useful for extreme durability, but not something most users will truly need unless you work in an industrial setting or participate in water sports, for example. For one of the best budget phones, the fact that the Google Pixel 10a boasts an IP68 rating, rather than something much lower, as is often the case with entry-level devices, is impressive.