The 5 best waterproof smartphones

“Drowning” – one of the most frequent types of failure of portable gadgets, and it is also – the most difficult in terms of repair. Often the “drowned” are not repairable at all, or repair is impractical in terms of cost. Recently, electronics manufacturers have begun to pay close attention not only to the power electronics of the new series of smartphones and camera resolution, but also protection from mechanical damage, dust and moisture. Our today’s rating is dedicated to the five best models of waterproof smartphones, which Expertology experts have highlighted among the novelties in different price categories of the most famous manufacturers.

Rating of the best waterproof smartphones

Apple iPhone Xs Max 256GB

Rating: 4.9

Let’s start with the smartphone, which is so special that it could be “taken out of the brackets” and not considered in the same row as other models. But we still can’t leave it out of the topic, because its water resistance inspires sincere respect.

“Ten” has the highest possible level of dust and waterproofness – IP68, but in this case it’s also an improved level. The fact that the number “8” means the ability to operate the device being fully submerged in water to a depth of more than 1 meter for more than 30 minutes. The Cupertinians also promise that the latest model of the iPhone can withstand prolonged submersion to a depth of 2 meters. Numerous tests by professionals and enthusiasts in general confirm such features of the “apple” flagship.

Now let’s go briefly through the main technical characteristics of the smartphone. The physical dimensions are 77.4×157.5×7.7 mm, net weight – 208 g. The diagonal of its screen is 6.5 inches, the matrix – OLED with a resolution of 2688×1242 and the proportions of 19.5:9. Pixel density per inch – 456.

The two main rear cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels each, equipped with LED flash. The cameras are equipped with a double optical zoom, stabilization and autofocus. The smartphone is capable of recording video with a resolution up to 3840×2160 with a frame rate of 60 frames per second.

The device supports two SIM cards of the nano SIM or eSIM standard. Supported all standards of GSM-communication, including LTE and VoLTE all possible bands. Other wireless standards – Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC. There are navigation modules GPS and GLONASS.

All the “iron” is controlled by a powerful Apple A12 Bionic processor, 256GB of internal memory. The battery is lithium-ion, non-removable, and provides up to 25 hours of talk time or up to 65 hours of audio listening. There are fast and wireless charging features.

Advantages

• brand and premium class;
• speed of operation;
• The quality of photo and video recording;
• stability and continuity;
• increased water resistance.

Disadvantages

• individual preferences.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 128GB

Rating: 4.8

As the second number in the ranking, let us consider the “ideological competitor” iPhone, which is not inferior to it, and with some qualities and functions is quite capable of competing with it. In terms of water resistance it is still inferior to the tenth iPhone, although technically it belongs to the same top class dust and moisture protection IP68. At least the manufacturer does not promise the operation of the device during prolonged submersion under water for 2 meters. But in the highest category the gadget still fits, and this is the main thing.

The Galaxy Note 9 was the standout new product of mid-2018. One of its distinctive features – the presence of the stylus against the background of a total rejection of styluses by other smartphone manufacturers. This solution has been surprisingly successful from a marketing point of view – the mass of users appreciate and love this model precisely for the presence of a convenient manipulator.

Dimensions of the waterproof smartphone – 76.4×161.9×8.8 mm, net weight – 201 g. Screen size 6.4 inches, the type of matrix – AMOLED, the maximum resolution – 2960×1440 with a density of dots 514 per inch. The screen surface is curved on the sides. Glass is abrasion and scratch resistant.

Like the iPhone described above, this model is equipped with a pair of rear cameras at 12 mPix each and LED flash. Resolution of the front camera – 8 mPix. The rear camera options are exactly the same, including 2x optical zoom. Waterproof smartphone shoots video in 3840×2160 quality at 60 frames per second.

The entire system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 or Samsung Exynos 9810 processor, depending on the region. The internal memory is 128 GB. Supports two nano SIM cards. One slot can be used to read an external memory card up to 512GB. Communication standards are almost exactly the same as the latest iPhone.

Powerful 4000 mAh battery with support of fast and wireless charging ensures the autonomous work of the smartphone. A full charge lasts for approximately 29 hours of talking or 59 hours of audio listening.

Advantages

• The top flagship as of 2018-2019.;
• two SIM cards;
• powerful battery;
• The highest category of dust and water resistance IP68;
• Impeccable image quality;
• stylus included.

Disadvantages

• no system flaws detected, only individual pickings of a private nature.

Huawei P20 Pro

Rating: 4.7

Now in the ranking of the best waterproof smartphones we will consider an interesting solution from Huawei. It is interesting if only because the smartphone is almost indistinguishable from the tenth iPhone, the price is significantly less than the Galaxy Note 9, and in terms of functionality inferior to both not catastrophically.

In terms of moisture protection, this smartphone is distinctly weaker than the previous two examples, and this is confirmed by its class – IP67. This means that the device can survive without consequences only a short-term (up to half an hour) immersion in water to a depth of no more than 1 meter.

Dimensions of the device – 73.9x155x7.8 mm, net weight – 180 g. Two SIM cards are supported with alternate operation. Screen size – 6.1 inch, the type is AMOLED, the resolution is 2240×1080 with a dot density of 408 per inch. Proportion of the screen – 18.5:9.

In this model, the main are as many as three rear cameras – 40, 20 and 8 mPix, respectively. They are equipped with LED flash, each has autofocus. Front camera – 24 megapixels.

Electronics run by HiSi processor

-G72 MP12. Built-in memory installed 128 GB. The battery in this model has the same capacity and the same type as in the two previous flagships – a 4K lithium-ion. mA⋅h.

The water-resistant smartphone supports all of the most popular standards of communication from GSM 900 to LTE, includes radio modules for other wireless communications – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC. Supports GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou navigation. There are sensors for lighting, gyroscope, Hall sensor, compass, fingerprint scanner.

Advantages

• Rich functionality for a relatively affordable price;
• A powerful 8-core processor;
• AMOLED matrix;
• Three main rear cameras;
• high-capacity battery, as in the top flagships.

Disadvantages

• Individual pickles of users.

Caterpillar CAT S60

Rating: 4.7

Next in our ranking is something special. Our experts have specially included in the review of this model to satisfy the interest of those users for whom contact with water smartphone – not the emergency, but quite ordinary situation. This is a smartphone, which produces the same American company, which is known throughout the world for its heavy trucks, bulldozers and other machinery.

The main specialization of the manufacturer has imposed a serious imprint on the form factor and the appearance of smartphone CAT S60. This is a powerful, impressive device with maximum protection from the influence of external factors and the appropriate size. The smartphone is ideal for those who are engaged in extreme sports, or whose work is connected with a high probability to wet, drop or damage the smartphone. Protection class is the highest here – IP68.

Dimensions of the device – 73.4×147.9×12.66 mm, net weight – 249 g. Supports two SIM cards with alternate mode (nano SIM). The screen size is 4.7 inches, 1280×720 resolution matrix with a density of 312 pixels per inch and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Protective glass is resistant to abrasion and scratches.

Read more  The 13 best Samsung smartphones

The main rear camera resolution – 12 megapixels. The camera is equipped with a bright LED flash. Waterproof smartphone is capable of recording video in 1920×1080 resolution at 30 frames per second. Front camera resolution – 5 mPix.

As you can see, this model has no prohibitive values for the resolution of the sensor, as well as its type, as well as the quality of video recording. This is to be expected, as the efforts of the developers here were aimed at maximum mechanical protection. Numerous independent tests show that the manufacturer has managed to make a truly “unkillable” unit.

Electronics is controlled by Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 MSM8952 processor with eight cores at 1500 MHz. Video system – Adreno 405. RAM – 3 GB, built-in – 32 GB. Non-removable lithium-ion battery capacity – 3800 mA⋅h. In conversation mode, the full charge lasts for 30 hours, in standby mode – for 1032 hours.

Advantages

• brand;
• Increased protection against external influences;
• A solid, impressive design;
• Specialization for extreme conditions;
• Quality thermal imaging;
• Stability, reliability and reliability.

Disadvantages

• No official service in Russia.

LG G7 ThinQ 64GB

Rating: 4.6

We finish our rating with the top model from LG, which against the background of the iPhone described above can be safely considered a budget model. Here, too, we see the highest level of dust and moisture protection IP68. Independent testing tells us that the overall level of protection is as advertised, but is literally on the edge of the IP67 category.

Dimensions waterproof smartphone – 71.9×153.2×7.9 mm, net weight – 163 g. Screen size – 6.1 inch, IPS-matrix resolution – 3120×1440 with a density of 563 dots per inch and aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

The two main rear cameras have 16MP resolution each, with LED flash and autofocus. There is a macro mode. The front camera has a resolution of 8 mPix.

This model supports two sim cards nano SIM cards with alternate mode. Coverage of communication standards – from GSM 900 to VoLTE in bands 1 to 38. Wireless connectivity – Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Wi-Fi Direct. Satellite navigation module – only GPS.

The center of electronics in this model is a powerful processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 on eight cores with a frequency of 2800 MHz. Video subsystem – Adreno 630. RAM – 4GB, built-in – 64GB. Supports external memory cards up to 2TB. Battery capacity of 3000 mA⋅h provides autonomous operation.

Advantages

• Wide functionality for a relatively affordable price;
• high resolution;
• IPS matrix image quality;
• Mi protection
• Standard 810G.

Flaws

• A noticeable percentage of users are not satisfied with the battery capacity.