Best waterproof smartphone: which IP68 phone to choose in 2026?

Our top 3 of the best waterproof smartphones

After drops, liquids are the biggest enemies of smartphones. It is therefore important that yours can resist water.

To know if your device is waterproof, you must refer to its IP certification which is an indicator of protection. The higher this index is, the more resistant the smartphone will be to water or dust. For example, all the smartphones in this selection are IP68 certified. This indicates that they are protected against the effects of immersion in water, more than 1 meter deep, for at least 30 minutes – or even more depending on the manufacturers.

Be careful though, we are talking here about fresh water only, since the salt in sea water has a corrosive effect against which it is difficult to protect yourself. If your phone takes a dip in the deep blue, rinse it as quickly as possible with clean water, then dry it.

Here is our selection of the best smartphones capable of surviving both a fall in the swimming pool and a spilled drink.

If you want to have an overview of the best smartphones of the moment (whether waterproof or not), head to our dedicated guide.

Apple iPhones

Finding a waterproof smartphone is less complicated at Apple than in the Android ranges: it's simple, since 2016, all iPhones have been IP68 certified. Apple also goes beyond the standard since its phones are able to withstand 30 minutes at a depth of 5 meters!

So we are at the iPhone 17 (and its Pro and Pro Max variations), now equipped with a USB-C port, A19 and A19 Pro chips, but also a “Camera Control” button. In addition, the iPhone 17 finally has a 120 Hz screen.

If you want to spend less money, you can opt for an iPhone 16e. To differentiate between all the iPhones and know which one to choose, go to our explanatory guide to the range.

Why an iPhone?

- iOS and the Apple ecosystem

- Top performance and autonomy

- Quality photos

The Samsung Galaxy S26: the high-end still waterproof

If Samsung is not the first to have introduced waterproofing on “mainstream” smartphones, this honor goes to Sony, Samsung helped to popularize this function with its introduction on the Galaxy S5. Several generations later, Samsung smartphones are in line with this, with several models certified IP68.

However, within the Galaxy S26 range there are clearly two philosophies: on the one hand the very high-end with the Ultra version and on the other the high-end with the standard and Plus versions. Let's make no secret, at Frandroid our preference is for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is quite simply, in our opinion, the best smartphone.

In addition to its waterproof certification, the phone performs well on a daily basis. The contribution of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 optimized for the S26 Ultra. It offers excellent gaming performance. It should also be noted that the smartphone has good battery life, capable of lasting a day and a half of use without the slightest problem.

It is also one of the best smartphones for photography available on the market. The versatility offered makes it possible to adapt to all situations without the slightest problem. Also note that the smartphone now has 7 years of software monitoring to make it one of the most durable. There remains its price displayed at 1471 euros which remains a real problem for the most modest wallets.

Why choose a Galaxy S26 Ultra?

- It's the best smartphone on the market

- Screen performance

- An impressive photo section

The S26 and S26 Plus remain attractive in terms of price provided they comply with the concessions demanded by Samsung, namely: some photo wandering and lower battery life.

The Google Pixel smartphone family

Google has always offered waterproofing for its high-end Pixels and the latest generations are no exception to the rule, with IP68 certification. We are at Pixel 10.

Beyond their ability to survive liquids, these Pixels stand out from the crowd with their always very original design, an impeccable finish and above all, one of the best cameras on the market.

If there is one point where the Pixels stand out once again, it is in the photo. Google has once again broken the house with incredible rendering, particularly in low light, thanks in particular to an excellent algorithm. The magic eraser, and other correctors available by AI, are very practical.

To find out which Google Pixel to choose, go to our explanatory guide to the range.

Why do we recommend Google Pixels?

- The Android Pixel experience and AI

- Always so good at photography

- High-end more affordable than the competition

Waterproof Xiaomi smartphones

Present for several years on the telephone market, Xiaomi smartphones are now real alternatives to Apple and Samsung. Especially since now all of the manufacturer's ranges benefit from IP68 certification. Thus the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, although very affordable, is resistant to immersion in water, as well as to attacks from dust.

The manufacturer's best phone, namely the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, also has this protection certification. In addition, the technical sheet put forward by the brand is very high-end, including an excellent camera. The experience offered is impeccable thanks to the partnership established with Leica. With the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the phone is capable of performing all the required tasks.

Why do we recommend a Xiaomi smartphone?

- Excellent value for money

- Good performance

- Never disappointing

Everything you need to know about waterproof smartphones and certifications: advice from Frandroid

How does water protection work?

In most cases, protecting smartphones against water is done by installing seals that prevent water from passing through the gaps, but this is not the only way. The IP classification exists to gauge the resistance of devices to dust and water. This protection index is made up of two numbers: the first corresponds to dust resistance and the second to water resistance. The higher these numbers are, the more protected the device is. Today, most waterproof smartphones have IP68 certification. This indicates that they are protected against the effects of immersion in water, more than 1 meter, for at least 30 minutes and up to one hour.

Does IP certification also work with sea water?

The simple answer is no. Since sea water contains salt, it is significantly more corrosive and also leaves a salt deposit once the smartphone has dried, even if the latter is robust. Therefore, just because a smartphone is IP68 certified does not mean it will be protected against salt water. To do this, you must use smartphones specially designed for this purpose, such as certain Crosscall products for example.

If your smartphone accidentally takes a dip in the sea, don't panic: rinse it thoroughly with clean water as quickly as possible to limit corrosion as much as possible.

Can I take photos underwater with a waterproof phone?

Just because your smartphone is water resistant doesn't mean you should deliberately submerge it in water. Waterproofing is done to prevent accidents, not to cause them. They are not designed to be used underwater as if you were dry. We will therefore avoid taking underwater photos with it.

Does the warranty work if water causes damage to my waterproof phone?

Generally speaking, this is not the case. The IP certification does indicate that the smartphone is resistant to immersion in water, but the warranty generally does not cover this damage. We therefore recommend not deliberately immersing your waterproof phone in water. However, IP certification is not useless; if manufacturers prefer to cover themselves, it is generally effective and prevents many stupid accidents.