iPhone vs Samsung Water Resistance: IP Ratings Compared

Both Apple and Samsung market their flagship phones as water-resistant, but the actual protection levels vary across models and generations. Understanding what the IP ratings mean in real-world terms helps you set realistic expectations and avoid costly water damage. Here is a practical comparison of water resistance across the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy lineups.

Understanding IP Ratings

IP stands for Ingress Protection, an international standard (IEC 60529) that rates how well a device resists dust and water. The rating has two digits:

• First digit (dust): Ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (completely dust-tight). All modern flagship phones are rated 6.
• Second digit (water): Ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure, high-temperature water jets). Most phones are rated 7 or 8.

IP67 means the phone can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. IP68 means deeper submersion, but the exact depth and duration vary by manufacturer because IP68 does not have a single fixed depth requirement beyond "deeper than 1 meter." This is where the comparison gets interesting.

iPhone Water Resistance by Model

Apple has steadily improved water resistance across generations:

• iPhone 7 and 8 series: IP67 — up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR: IP68 — up to 2 meters for 30 minutes (XS/XS Max), 1 meter for XR
• iPhone 11: IP68 — up to 2 meters for 30 minutes
• iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max: IP68 — up to 4 meters for 30 minutes
• iPhone 12 through 14 series: IP68 — up to 6 meters for 30 minutes
• iPhone 15 and 16 series: IP68 — up to 6 meters for 30 minutes

For a deeper look at what these ratings mean in practice, including what they do and do not cover, see our detailed guide on iPhone water resistance ratings explained.

Samsung Galaxy Water Resistance by Model

Samsung's flagships have followed a similar trajectory:

• Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge: IP68 — up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
• Galaxy S8 through S10 series: IP68 — up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
• Galaxy S20 and S21 series: IP68 — up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
• Galaxy S22 through S24 series: IP68 — up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes
• Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip (3 and later): IPX8 — up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes (no dust rating due to hinge design)

Notice that Samsung has consistently rated their phones at 1.5 meters, while Apple has pushed to 6 meters on recent models. On paper, recent iPhones offer deeper submersion protection. In practice, the difference matters less than you might think, because the conditions under which these ratings are tested rarely match real-world scenarios.

What the Lab Tests Don't Tell You

IP ratings are tested under controlled laboratory conditions that differ significantly from how phones encounter water in real life:

• Fresh water only. Lab tests use clean, still, fresh water. Saltwater (ocean), chlorinated water (pools), soapy water, and other liquids are more corrosive and can penetrate seals more easily. Neither Apple nor Samsung covers water damage from these liquids under warranty.
• Static immersion only. The phone sits motionless in water. Jumping into a pool, dropping the phone in a river with current, or taking it surfing introduces dynamic pressure that can force water past seals.
• Room temperature only. Hot tubs, saunas, and steamy bathrooms cause thermal expansion that can temporarily compromise water-resistant seals. Steam is particularly problematic because water vapor molecules are smaller than liquid water droplets and can penetrate openings that would block liquid.
• New phone condition. IP ratings apply to phones fresh from the factory. Drops, bends, screen replacements, and normal wear can degrade seals over time. A two-year-old phone may have significantly less water resistance than the day it was purchased.

What Voids Water Resistance

Several common situations can compromise your phone's seals, regardless of brand:

• Drops and impacts: Even small drops can create micro-gaps in the adhesive that seals the screen to the frame. You may not see visible damage, but the seal integrity is reduced.
• Screen or battery replacement: Third-party repairs that do not replace the waterproof adhesive properly will reduce or eliminate water resistance. Even Apple's own repairs come with the caveat that water resistance may not be fully restored.
• Age and wear: The adhesive sealant degrades over time from heat, UV exposure, and mechanical stress. A phone that was IP68 when new may be closer to IP65 or lower after two to three years of use.
• Extreme temperatures: Repeated exposure to high heat or freezing cold accelerates seal degradation.

Why Speakers Still Need Cleaning Regardless of IP Rating

Here is the key point that IP ratings do not address: water resistance is designed to keep water out of the phone's internal components. The speakers, however, are open to the outside by design. Sound has to travel through the speaker grille, which means water and dust can always reach the speaker membrane.

When your phone gets wet, even if the internals stay dry, water sits on the speaker mesh and membrane. This causes muffled audio, reduced volume, and that characteristic gurgling sound. The phone itself may be fine, but the speaker performance is degraded until the water is cleared.

This is why both Apple (on the Apple Watch) and Samsung have built-in water ejection features that use sound vibrations to clear speaker grilles. Your phone's water resistance protects the circuit board and battery. Your speakers need separate attention.

Water-resistant does not mean speaker-proof. WaveFix clears trapped water and dust from your speakers in under 60 seconds, regardless of phone brand or IP rating.

Practical Recommendations

Regardless of whether you carry an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy, follow these guidelines:

• Do not intentionally submerge your phone. Water resistance is a safety net, not an invitation. Treat it like a seatbelt: glad it is there, but do not crash on purpose.
• Avoid saltwater and pools. If your phone does get exposed, rinse it with fresh water and dry it promptly.
• Clear your speakers after any water exposure. Do not wait for the audio to fix itself. Use an acoustic water ejection cycle to remove trapped moisture before it causes long-term issues. See our guide on ejecting water from phone speakers.
• Do not rely on the rating as your phone ages. After any repair, drop, or a couple of years of use, assume your water resistance is lower than the original rating.
• If your phone got wet and sounds wrong, check our emergency guide on what to do when your phone falls in water.

Water resistance is a valuable feature on modern smartphones, but understanding its limits keeps you from making expensive assumptions. Both iPhone and Samsung deliver solid protection for accidental splashes and brief immersions. Beyond that, proactive speaker care is what maintains your audio quality over time.