Is Your Phone Really Waterproof? What 'Water Resistant' Means
"It's waterproof, it'll be fine" is one of the most expensive assumptions in phone ownership. Most modern phones are water resistant, not waterproof — and that one word makes all the difference when your handset ends up in the sink, the bath or the sea. We see the results in the workshop every week. Here's what the ratings actually promise, why the protection fades, and how to avoid learning the difference the hard way.
What the ratings really mean
Water resistance is measured by an "IP" rating — you'll see IP67 or IP68 on most flagship phones. The first digit covers dust; the second covers water. A typical IP68 rating means the phone survived being submerged in fresh, still water to a set depth for a set time — but crucially, under controlled lab conditions, when the phone was brand new. It's a measure of how the phone left the factory, not a permanent property. Think of it as protection against life's accidents — a splash, rain, a knocked-over glass — not an invitation to take it swimming, film underwater or rinse it under the tap.
Why resistance fades over time
- Seals age. The adhesive and rubber gaskets that keep water out dry, harden and degrade with everyday heat, cold and use. A two-year-old phone simply doesn't have the sealing it had on day one.
- Damage breaks the seal. A cracked screen or back — or a previous repair that wasn't properly resealed — leaves a path straight in for water.
- Drops matter even without cracks. A knock that leaves no visible mark can still disturb the internal seals and adhesive.
- Not all water is equal. Salt water, pool chlorine, fizzy drinks and hot, soapy water are all far more damaging than the clean, cool, still water used in testing. Sea water in particular corrodes aggressively.
The small print that catches people out
Here's the part that surprises almost everyone: manufacturers typically do not cover liquid damage under warranty — even on phones they advertise as water-resistant. The marketing shows phones in the rain; the warranty terms quietly exclude what happens if the rain gets in. Phones also contain small liquid-contact indicators that change colour permanently when wet, so "it never got wet" rarely survives inspection. Treat the IP rating as a safety net for accidents, not a feature to rely on — because the manufacturer certainly does.
Sensible habits that cost nothing
- Don't deliberately submerge it, shower with it, or take it in the sea, pool or hot tub — heat plus water is the worst combination.
- Never charge a phone that's wet. Let the charging port dry fully first; most modern phones will warn you, and ignoring that warning is how charging ports corrode.
- If the screen or back is cracked, assume the water protection is gone until it's repaired and properly resealed.
- After any dunk — even one the phone seems to shrug off — keep an eye on it for a few days and back it up straight away.
What about cases and older phones?
Two related questions come up a lot. First, waterproof cases: a good sealed case genuinely does what the phone's own rating can't — it's a physical barrier that doesn't depend on factory adhesive — so if you regularly work outdoors, sail, or take your phone to the pool, a proper waterproof pouch or case is money far better spent than trust in an IP rating. Second, older and budget phones: many have no meaningful water resistance at all — the ratings only became common on flagship models within the last several years, and cheaper handsets often skip the sealing entirely to save cost. If your phone is more than a few years old or wasn't top-of-the-range, assume it has no protection and treat every splash as an emergency.
"It survived, so it's fine" — not quite
A phone that keeps working after a dunk isn't necessarily in the clear. Corrosion works slowly: sugars, salts and minerals left behind keep eating at contacts and connectors for days or weeks, which is why a phone can seem fine after a swim and then fail a fortnight later — often blamed on something else entirely. If your phone has taken a proper soaking, back it up immediately while it works, and consider having it opened and inspected before problems surface.
If it does get wet
Act fast: power it off, don't charge it, and skip the bag of rice — it doesn't reach the liquid trapped inside. Our guide on what to do after a spill covers the crucial first minutes. Then get it looked at quickly: our smartphone repair team handles liquid damage on iPhone, Samsung and all major brands, and when a phone is brought in promptly we can often save both the handset and your data.