Android Central 2021: Best Waterproof Phones
Water-resistance has evolved from a luxury that was reserved for high-end phones to an expected feature on any expensive device. We have compiled a list of the top waterproof phones for 2021, including the amazing Samsung Galaxy S21. You can see our full list to find more options that suit your lifestyle and budget.
Source: Hayato Huseman / Android Central
The Samsung Galaxy S21 was a new smartphone that emerged in the early 2021. It quickly became our top choice for best Android phone. It didn't have the best specifications or the most expensive phone. The S21 is loved by us because it has the right balance between price, features and build quality. Part of that build quality includes its IP68 dust and water resistance. This phone is not as expensive as its Note 20 and S21 siblings. However, it has a plastic or "glasstic" rear panel. It doesn't feel less premium or cheap, however. It actually makes the phone more resistant to accidental drops. Glasstic backs allow for stunning color options such as Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink and Phantom White. You also get the top-of-the line Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC with 8GB RAM and 128GB / 256GB storage. The flagship cameras are superior to those of higher-priced flagships and the 4,000 mAh battery is a great addition. The S21 was launched several hundred dollars less than the S20 last year. Pros: Large, beautiful 120Hz display
Amazing cameras
Battery life is excellent
Three years of platform updates
Pros: Wireless charging and IP68 rating
MicroSD not supported
Samsung Galaxy S21- 5G Smartphone is the best overall waterproof phone. The Galaxy S21 has nearly all of the features and IP68 water resistance that are found in higher-end S21 models. Amazon: Starting at $700
Best Buy: Starting at $700
OnePlus 9 Pro is the best waterproof phone upgrade
Source: Andrew Myrick / Android Central
The OnePlus 9 Pro is as stunning and as well-designed as any smartphone. The 9 Pro isn't a radical departure from the OnePlus phones. It takes the OnePlus 9 Pro to its rightful place in 2021's smartphone market with more features at a higher price. It also includes IP68 resistance, just like the 8 and 8 Pro smartphones from 2020. It's as good as any smartphone out there and features the best display OnePlus ever used. It's bright and colorful with a 120Hz refresh rate. The inside has exceptional specs. This leads to amazing performance, thanks to OxygenOS software. It's always a pleasure to use. The 9 Pro has one of the best cameras on OnePlus phones, and a new main sensor. This is thanks to OnePlus's partnership to Hasselblad, a pioneer in camera technology. Although the camera experience is not as good as the Galaxy S21 Ultra's, it is still a significant step above. This is where the OnePlus 9 Pro comes in. This phone is a flagship phone experience, but it costs a fraction of the price of traditional brands. Pros: Large, beautiful 120Hz display
Incredible Hasselblad-tuned cameras
Super-fast charging
OxygenOS is the best Android software.
Pros: Wireless charging and IP68 rating.
There are still software and camera bugs.
Best waterproof phone upgrade OnePlus 9 Pro – 5G Smartphone. The most powerful phone OnePlus ever produced. The OnePlus 9 Pro is impressive, well-designed, but it doesn't change the OnePlus formula. It offers great value and great value. Amazon: $970
$970 on Best Buy
Best big waterproof phone: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Source: Hayato Huseman / Android Central
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a step up from the popular (and highly recommended!) Galaxy S21. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has the same features and specs as the regular Galaxy S21, with a larger display of 6.8 inches and a correspondingly larger 5,000mAh lithium battery. It has a phenomenal battery life so it won't matter if you use the Quad HD+ display at 120Hz. The Ultra uses the extra space (and the higher price) to offer better cameras. It has a 108MP main camera that takes brighter pictures and two telephoto cameras which can reach out to get great shots up to 10X and even decent shots at 15X. These extra capabilities and longer battery life are tradeoffs. The price and overall size are the main considerations. The S21 Ultra is heavier and larger than the S21+ or S21. Pros: Large, high-quality screen
Water resistance IP68
Huge battery
Super-sharp main camera shots
Solid zoom camera with up to 15X Cons
No headphone jack
Very large and very expensive
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, the best big waterproof phone - 5G Smartphone Samsung does it all. The S21 Ultra is everything we hoped for in a S20 Ultra. It has a large display and great cameras. Samsung - Starting at $1,200
Amazon: $1,000
Best Buy Fro: $950
Google Pixel 5a is the best waterproof phone camera
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
The Pixel 5a is the best of Google's software. The hardware is also top-notch. Its IP67-rated exterior will protect it from water ingress and dust better than many "value flagships." And the Snapdragon 765G chipet and 6GB RAM deliver plenty of performance. The Pixel 5a also comes with stereo speakers and a 60Hz display. And, of course, it has the best camera of any smartphone. The Pixel 5a can capture amazing photos in night conditions. In daylight, the Pixel 5a's 12.2MP main and 16MP ultrawide cameras allow you to take great photos in all situations. The only negatives about this mid-level gem are its rather dull design and the lack of wireless charging. The largest ever Pixel battery means you won't have to look for an outlet as often. Pros: Water resistance IP67
Software that is simple, efficient, and quick
High-end quality front and back cameras
Biggest ever battery on a Pixel
Headphone jack Cons: Boring design
Only one size available and only one storage configuration
Google Pixel 5a waterproof smartphone camera - 5G Smartphone The Pixel 5a is a great package. It has great hardware and great cameras. It's durable and IP67-rated. Google: $449
Blackview BV5900 is the most durable waterproof phone
Source: Blackview
The Blackview BV5900 is a rugged Android phone you can take everywhere and can handle anything. The phone is tough and durable, and it has MIL-STD-810G and IP68 water and dust resistance. This phone does not require a case. It comes with a built-in phone case. This phone is ideal for outdoor adventurers, tradespeople, and even teens. But it's not only tough. The phone packs a huge 5,580 mAh battery and has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. It can also be expanded up to 128GB. It also comes with NFC for Google Pay payments as well as a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. This phone is also the cheapest on this list. The pros: This phone is made from military-grade materials
IP68 Water and dust resistance
Huge battery
NFC Ready Cons: Rugged design may not be for everyone
No wireless charging
Blackview BV5900 is the most durable waterproof phone. It's built like an amphibious vehicle. Your phone and wallet are protected by this affordable and durable device. Amazon: $160
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is the best waterproof phone with a stylus
Source: Joe Maring/Android Central
Most people consider the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra to be the best premium Samsung smartphone of 2020. Although it doesn't fold like Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, it offers higher specs at a lower price. This latest big Note packs impressive specs into its large frame. It has a 6.9 inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and a 12MP ultra wide hole-punch selfie camera. It also features a three-camera system at the back, which rivals any other on the market. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+, with 12GB RAM and 128GB storage, though a 512GB version is available. The Note 20 Ulta is also IP68-water and dust-resistant. This rating is quite remarkable for Samsung, even though they only use a stylus. You can get most of the features (including water resistance) of the Note 20 Ultra for less than the regular Note 20. It also features a durable "glasstic", similar to the Galaxy S1. The Note 20 Ultra is a great build quality.
S Pen functionality
Beautiful screen
Best Samsung camera experience
Battery life all day
IP68 rating Con: The in-display fingerprint sensor can be slow, especially when it is wet
Unintentional touches can be caused by curved displays
Expensive
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Smartphone - Best waterproof phone with a stylus Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Ultra 5G Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 20 ultra 5G Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Super - All the great Samsung features with a stylus Inside Many people consider a Note their best friend. This phone has great hardware specs and features, including a large display and unique S Pen features. Amazon: $1,100
Best Buy - $1,050
B&H: $1,100
Best waterproof flip phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
Source: Nick Sutrich / Android Central
It's finally here! It's durable, beautiful, water-resistant, and most importantly, it's beautiful! The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 combines the best of both the past and the future in a small package that will appeal to people who long for small phones. Samsung has been working on its folding screen technology for many years, but this generation seems to be the one that has it right. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has more durable hinges than the previous models and is the first Flip to have built-in IPX8 water resistance. Although this will protect your phone from the occasional splash or light rain, it won't allow you to take it swimming. A folding phone will require you to protect it from dust ingress. This is a more difficult problem to solve. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is tougher than the original Galaxy Z Flip 2. It has a bigger and more useful exterior display, the most recent Snapdragon 888 processor and surprising capable cameras. This phone is perfect for those who want convenience, portability, and a smaller size. The pros: This phone is small enough to be used one-handed.
Water resistance IPX8
High quality build
Performance excellence
The latest Samsung Cons: Low battery life
No Telephoto Camera
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 - Best Waterproof Flip Phone - 5G Smartphone The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the perfect folding phone. It has all you need in a small phone, including water resistance. $1,000 at Samsung
Amazon: $1,000
Best Buy: $1,000
Bottom line: If waterproofing is an important feature in your next Android phone, then you are in luck. Most of the top Android phones have IP68 protection. Our top choice for waterproof phones is the Samsung Galaxy S21. The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a great phone with excellent specs and hardware. It also features a 120Hz display and performs extremely well with very clean software. It's also cheaper than the previous versions, making it a great deal for flagship Android customers. What does this mean?
Source: Android Central
Although no phone is waterproof, you should consider the different water resistance levels when comparing phones. Each model on this list has been rated IP68. This denotes that the phone is dust-proof and can survive for up to 30 minutes under water as deep as 2 meters. Others phones might be rated IP67. This rating provides the same protection, but half the submersion depth at one meter. Sometimes, you may see IPX7. This protects against 1 meter of water but does not guarantee dust protection. Some phones, such as the Moto G series are water-resistant, but they are not officially IP-certified. It will likely survive in the rain, or if you accidentally spill something on it. However, it's not a good idea to test your luck as you won't be able to contact customer service quickly if the phone's water damage indicator gets wet. While water resistance is an excellent feature, it doesn't guarantee that your phone can withstand any type of immersion. Even if your phone is IP68 certified, liquids can still get in to your phone and cause damage. This knowledge can help you to consider the best Android phones under $100. These phones are waterproof.
