The best waterproof and water resistance Smartphones to buy in 2020

The certification of resistance to water and dust is now a standard among the top modern range smartphones, while a few years ago there were few phones that could boast full protection from water and dust. The certifications currently most used among smartphone manufacturers are IP67 and IP68 and are those that classify some mobile phones as waterproof smartphones.

What do the waterproofing certificates mean?

The abbreviations IP67 and IP68 are widely used by manufacturers as they testify to the level of water and dust resistance of smartphones. What do these acronyms mean? They are actually much simpler than you think. The abbreviation IP stands for International Protection as the water and dust resistance standards are international.

What do the two numbers following the abbreviation IP mean instead? Simple, the first of the two indicates the resistance to dust, the second the resistance to water. The maximum number for dust resistance is 6, which indicates a full resistance to dust that will not enter the smartphone. The greatest degree of water resistance is 9, which means resistance both to permanent immersions in water and to high pressure or high temperature water jets. The most widespread certifications are IP67 and IP68, which differ only in water resistance, in fact in the first case it is a resistance 7, that is a resistance to immersions up to 1 meter for 30 minutes; while in the second case it is a resistance 8, that is a resistance up to 3 meters deep for 1 hour.

Bestsellers on Amazon

Before going to see the best waterproof smartphones on the market, let’s analyze the best sellers on Amazon to get an idea of consumer preferences.

Waterproof smartphone: our selection

Apple iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max

The iPhone 11 Pro series from Apple replaces the old iPhone XS, to tell the truth there are not many changes, especially in terms of aesthetics, but some improvements.

The display is always an OLED, named by Apple Super Retina XDR, 5.8 inches for iPhone 11 Pro and 6.5 inches for 11 Pro Max, both with HDR10 and TrueTone support. At the top, we find the usual large Apple-style notch that houses the sensors for unlocking with the 3D face and the 12-megapixel TrueDepth front camera, which also supports slow-motion selfies.

Inside we find the A13 Bionic chip which, according to Apple, is the most powerful ever mounted on a smartphone with 6 GB of RAM, there is also the third generation Neural Engine, which improves the artificial intelligence already present on the previous iPhones.

The available memory cuts are 64, 256 and 512 GB all non-expandable. The photographic sector is identical between the two iPhone 11 Pro, and is composed of three sensors placed in a single square island: the main one is 12 megapixel with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, the second is a 12-megapixel tele with OIS, f/2.0 aperture and 2x optical zoom, while the third is wide-angle always from 12 megapixels with aperture f/2.4.

At connectivity side, we find perhaps an important lack, in fact, there is no USB Type-C, but still the Lightning connector. We still find dual band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 and GPS with GLONASS, obviously the 3.5 mm audio jack is missing. Battery side the iPhone 11 Pro mounts a 3190 mAh , while the iPhone 11 Pro Max a 3500 mAh , both with support for 18W fast charging and wireless charging. The new iPhone 11 Pro are IP68 certified and are the most waterproof devices on the market, as they can withstand a 4 meter immersion in water for half an hour. You can buy the iPhone 11 Pro directly from the official Apple website.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is the largest and most complete of Samsung’s top of the range. Inside we find the Exynos 990 as a processor with 12 GB of RAM and memory cuts from 128 to 512 GB all expandable.

The display is a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED with QHD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, a hole at the top that houses the photographic compartment with: the main 108-megapixel f/1.8 camera with OIS, the 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, the 48-megapixel periscopic telephoto lens with OIS and 100x hybrid zoom and a 0.3 megapixel ToF sensor for the depth effect.

The audio jack is missing but there is Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS GLONASS, dual-band WiFi and USB Type-C 3.0 with Samsung DeX desktop interface. Galaxy S20 Ultra is IP68 certified waterproof. The battery is from 5000 mAh with 45W quick charge and also reverse wireless charging.

Google Pixel 4/4 XL

Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL are the two new devices of the Mountain View house and, as always, they are the best expression of Android on the market. Both devices have an OLED display, for the Pixel 4 it is 5.7 inches with Full HD+ resolution, while the 4 XL is 6.3 inches with QHD + resolution, both support HDR and are at 90 Hz.

Inside we find a Snapdragon 855 with 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal memory. We also find the Pixel Neural Core for artificial intelligence and improve Google Assistant and the Titan M chip for security.

In the upper part of the display, which has a decidedly wider thickness, there is the Radar Soli sensor that allows Motion Sense, which allow you to make gestures in the air for the various features, in addition to unlocking with the 3D face.

The rear photographic compartment consists of two sensors: the main one is 12.2 megapixels with f/1.7 and OIS aperture, while the second sensor is from is 16-megapixel with f/2.4 aperture and OIS, the front camera is 8-megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture.

On the connectivity side we find dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB Type-C 3.1. The battery is 2800 mAh for the Pixel 4 and 3700 mAh for the Pixel 4 XL with support for 18W fast charging and wireless charging. Both Pixel 4 are IP68 certified. You can buy Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL directly from the Official Google Store.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+

Samsung this time introduced two versions of its business series, the Note 10 and the Note 10+. The Galaxy Note 10+ is the smartphone that truly continues the philosophy of this series. As for the last Notes, the IP68 certification remains.

Let’s start with the display which is a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED with QHD+ resolution and support for HDR10+. In the upper part in the center we find a hole that houses the 10-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture. The processor is the Exynos 9825, with a 7nm production process and, accompanied by 12 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB internal memory, expandable by losing the second SIM.

The rear photographic compartment changes position, from the central position and passes vertically on the upper left side of the smartphone and is composed of 4 sensors. The main sensor is 12 megapixel with OIS and variable aperture f/1.5-2.4, the second sensor is a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS, the third sensor is a wide-angle of 16 megapixels of 123 degrees while the last sensor is ToF for depth effects and augmented reality.

On the connectivity side, we find dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS GLONASS and USB Type-C 3.0 with video output and the possibility of Samsung DeX, the 3.5mm audio jack is unfortunately missing.

In addition, like the entire Note series, we find the advantage of the S Pen, enriched with new functions, which makes this product unique in its genre and perfect for work or business. The battery is 4300 mAh with 45W fast charging support and 20W wireless charging, the reverse wireless charging remains.

Samsung Galaxy S20/S20+

Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ are two very similar devices at the top of the market. Both have a Dynamic AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate (only in FullHD+), 6.2 inches for S20 and 6.7 inches for S20+.

The front camera is 10 megapixel positioned in the hole in the display. Both have Exynos 990 as a processor with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of expandable internal memory. The photographic sector sees in both smartphones a 12-megapixel main sensor with f/1.8 and OIS, a 64-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12-megapixel wide angle. Only on S20+, there is also the 0.3 megapixel ToF sensor for the depth effect.

We do not find the audio jack but there is NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS GLONASS, dual band WiFi and USB Type-C with Samsung DeX desktop interface. Both of these smartphones are IP68 certified waterproof. The battery is 4000 mAh for S20 and 4500 mAh for S20+ with 25W quick charge and also reverse wireless charging.

Sony Xperia 1

The Sony Xperia 1 is the top of the range of the Japanese house and has a unique peculiarity in this price range, that is, the 21: 9 display, an even more elongated format compared to 18:9 and which is used in the cinema. As Sony has accustomed us for years, it was one of the first houses to do it, even this Xperia 1 is resistant to water and dust with IP68 certification.

The display is a 6.5-inch OLED with 4K HDR resolution with an aspect ratio of 21:9 and it’s probably among the best displays around. The downside of this display is that the body is necessarily longer than standard smartphones, slightly unbalancing the device. The smartphone is made of glass and metal and has the fingerprint sensor placed on the right side and not under the display.

Inside this Xperia 1, we find the Snapdragon 855 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory expandable via Micro SD. For the first time on a Sony, we find a triple camera: the main sensor is 12 megapixels with f/1.6 and OIS aperture, the second sensor is 12 megapixels wide-angle with f/2.4 aperture and the last sensor is a telephoto lens 12 megapixels with 2x zoom. The front camera is 8 megapixels and is placed above the display, as there is no notch. The battery is 3300 mAh and supports fast charging, but it is perhaps among the main weaknesses of this smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10

The Galaxy Note 10 is the little brother of the new Note 10+, to which, however, it doesn’t have much to envy, as many features are in common. As for the last Notes, the IP68 certification remains.

The Galaxy Note 10 has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, and not QHD+ like the Note 10+, and support for HRD10+. In the upper part, in the center, there is the hole that houses the 10-megapixel front camera with f/2.2 aperture, just as happens on the Note 10+.

Inside the processor is the same, that is always the Exynos 9825 octa-core with 7 nm production process, accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of non-expandable internal memory. The rear photographic compartment is composed of three sensors: the main one is 12 megapixel with OIS and variable aperture f/1.5-2.4, the second sensor is a 12-megapixel telephoto lens while the last one is 16-megapixel wide-angle with f/2.2 aperture, there is no ToF sensor as in the top version.

On the connectivity side, we find dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS GLONASS, unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm audio jack while USB is Type-C with the possibility of Samsung DeX interface. In addition, like the whole Note series, we find the advantage of the S Pen, enriched with new functions, which makes this product unique in its genre and perfect for work or business. The battery is from 3500 mAh with support for fast charging at 25W, wireless charging also reverse.

Sony Xperia 5

Sony Xperia 5 is the continuum of the Compact series and the younger brother of Xperia 1, in fact it maintains the aspect ratio of 21:9 on which the Japanese company has focused on in the last year.

The display is an OLED by 6.1 inches with Full HD+ resolution and HDR support. Inside we find the Snapdragon 855 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of expandable internal memory giving up the second SIM. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the side as per Sony tradition.

In the back, we find a triple camera: the main sensor is 12 megapixel with f/1.6 and OIS aperture, the second sensor is 12-megapixel wide-angle with f/2.4 aperture and the last sensor is a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x zoom. The front camera is 8 megapixel with f/2.0 aperture. Connectivity side we find Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi, GPS GLONASS and USB Type-C 3.1. Like all other Sony, it is IP68 certified. The battery is 3140 mAh with support for fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy S10e

The Samsung Galaxy S10e is the smallest of the S10 family and is also one of the most interesting smartphones in the Samsung range. In fact, while maintaining many characteristics of the bigger brothers, it has more compact dimensions, thanks to the 5.8-inch display.

Speaking of the screen we find a Dynamic AMOLED, which improves the old Super AMOLED as it has definition and functioning of the HDR, Infinity-O which represents the hole in the display located at the top right in the front of the terminal. This hole also houses the 10-megapixel front camera. The technical sheet is composed of the Exynos 9820 processor with 8-nanometer construction process with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB internal memory expandable via Micro SD.

The photographic sector is composed of two sensors, the main 12 megapixel with variable aperture f/1.5-2.4, while the secondary is 16-megapixel wide-angle. Connectivity is complete, in fact there is the 3.5 mm audio jack, Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi and also the fingerprint sensor located on the right side of the smartphone. The battery is 3100 mAh and is IP68 certified.

LG G7 ThinQ

LG G7 ThinQ, thanks to its fast devaluation, is one of the best waterproof smartphones on the market, thanks to its IP68 certification and low price. At the current price, however, this G7 is definitely a device to recommend, also because it is a real top of the range. Even LG on this G7 has succumbed to the fashion of the notch, which however is in the OnePlus 6 style, therefore very small.

The display is an IPS LCD with a size of 6.1 inches and QHD+ resolution with a 19.5: 9 aspect ratio. The processor that moves everything is the Snapdragon 845, therefore the best on the market, accompanied by 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of expandable internal memory. The photographic sector is the usual LG house, with two 16 megapixel sensors, one of which is wide angle.

Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei P30 Pro is the top of the range of the Chinese house and is very interesting in many ways. This smartphone is IP68 certified water and dust resistant. The display is a 6.47-inch OLED with Full HD+ resolution and curved edges, there is also HDR support.

At the top of the display there is a drop notch which houses the 32-megapixel front camera. Speaking of technical specifications, the P30 Pro mounts the Kirin 980 with 8 GB of RAM and memory cuts from 128 GB to 512 GB, all expandable via Huawei’s proprietary nano SD.

As for the photographic sector, we find four cameras: the main sensor is 40 megapixels with f/1.6 aperture and is called SuperSensitive as it uses a color scheme RYB and not RGB, which allows it to capture more light and reach very high ISO values; the second sensor is 20 megapixels wide-angle with f / 2.2 aperture, while the third sensor is an 8-megapixel telephoto with f / 3.2 aperture and optical stabilization which thanks to a 5-lens periscope system manages to achieve an optical zoom of 5x and a 10x hybrid zoom; finally the fourth camera is a ToF sensor useful for capturing the depth of field.

At the connectivity side there is Bluetooth 5.0, dual band WiFi and USB Type-C 3.1 which also brings out the video, there is no 3.5mm audio jack. The battery is 4200 mAh with 40W fast charge support it also features fast and reverse wireless charging.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Huawei’s new smartphone, the Mate 20 Pro is one of the most complete top-of-the-range smartphones ever. The Huawei home device, in fact, offers a top hardware, with one of the best cameras ever, thanks to a set-up with three different lenses, and an increasingly refined EMUI.

In addition, it is possible to transform the phone into a PC by connecting it to a monitor, and thanks to the desktop mode the interface will magically transform from mobile to desktop, making productivity the keyword of this great smartphone.

The Mate 20 Pro it also leads the category as unlocking methods, in fact there is both face recognition in 3D, with the sensors positioned in the large notch, and the fingerprint sensor under the display that works very well. Autonomy is also top for this Huawei phone thanks to the 4000 mAh battery. The certification for resistance to water and dust is IP68.

How to waterproof a normal smartphone

If you own a smartphone without IP67 or IP68 certification and you want to make it waterproof then you can take advantage of a trick. There are some diving covers that protect your phone (whatever phone you have) and make it ideal for underwater shots, resistant to sand and dust, etc.

Usually these covers are universal and below we present the most famous and sold: