Samsung is one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers, known for making high-quality Android devices. In recent years, Samsung has emphasized durability and water resistance as major selling points of its flagship phones like the Galaxy S and Note series. This has led many consumers to wonder – just how waterproof are Samsung phones? What is the maximum depth they can be submerged before getting damaged?
In this article, we will take a deep dive into Samsung’s water resistance claims and test results to find out how deep various Galaxy models can safely go underwater. Understanding the water limits of your phone can give you peace of mind when using it in wet environments or give you an idea of which model might suit your aquatic lifestyle best!
Key Questions
Here are some key questions we will answer:
- What IP water resistance ratings do Samsung phones have?
- How deep can each Galaxy S and Note model be submerged?
- What tests has Samsung done to prove water resistance claims?
- What precautions should be taken when submerging Samsung phones?
- How does water damage occur in non-water resistant regions?
- Do water resistance guarantees completely protect against water damage?
Learning the answers to these questions will give you a detailed understanding of how waterproof different Samsung models truly are and what risks remain when exposing them to water.
IP Ratings for Samsung Phones
Samsung uses the Ingress Protection (IP) rating system to indicate how effectively its phones can withstand dust and water. The IP rating is presented as IPXX, with the first digit representing dust protection and the second digit describing water resistance. Higher numbers indicate better protection.
Here are the IP ratings for recent Galaxy S and Note flagship models:
| Phone Model | IP Rating |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S5 | IP67 |
| Galaxy S6 | No IP rating |
| Galaxy S7 | IP68 |
| Galaxy S8 | IP68 |
| Galaxy S9 | IP68 |
| Galaxy S10 | IP68 |
| Galaxy S20 | IP68 |
| Galaxy Note 5 | No IP rating |
| Galaxy Note 7 | IP68 |
| Galaxy Note 8 | IP68 |
| Galaxy Note 9 | IP68 |
| Galaxy Note 10 | IP68 |
As you can see, most recent Samsung flagships have attained an IP68 rating. But what exactly does this mean in terms of water depth limits?
IP68 Water Resistance Rating
The IP68 rating means that a phone is dust tight and can withstand immersion in water greater than 1 meter (3 feet) in depth. However, the tests to achieve this rating are conducted in laboratory conditions using freshwater. Samsung clarifies that the IP68 rating alone does not guarantee protection in environments with soap, chlorinated water, or other liquids with different compositions than freshwater.
There are no standard IP tests conducted for saltwater or depths beyond 1 meter. So while IP68 indicates water resistance as a design goal, real world use may allow for deeper depths in some situations while exposing limitations in others. To gain a complete understanding, we need to go beyond the IP rating and look at additional Samsung testing.
Samsung Internal Water Resistance Testing
In addition to IP standard testing, Samsung conducts internal tests to validate the water resistance of Galaxy phones:
Pool Water Resistance
Samsung tests phone function while submerged to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) for 30 minutes in still chlorinated water. This indicates better resistance than the minimum IP68 standard.
Saltwater Resistance
Galaxy phones are tested in saltwater with a depth of 1 meter (3 feet) for 30 minutes to demonstrate effectiveness of water seals against this corrosive environment.
Water Jet Resistance
Phones are subjected to pressurized jets of water to evaluate durability of the water seals protecting ports and openings. Samsung does not provide full details on water pressure levels used.
Water Immersion Cycling
To test durability of water protection over time, Samsung repeatedly submerges phones to 1 meter depth and cycles the environment between room temperature and cold water. After hundreds or thousands of cycles, the phones are checked for proper function.
Samsung’s internal testing indicates water resistance exceeding IP68 minimums. However, maximum depths have still not been established. Reviewing real world use can give us a better idea of safe limits.
Real World Water Resistance Examples
Looking at examples of Samsung phones used underwater in practice provides additional context on how deep they can safely be submerged:
Galaxy S7 Used for Scuba Diving
The Galaxy S7 has been successfully used for scuba diving with no water damage at depths up to 15 meters (49 feet) for over an hour. The phone was able to take photos and video at these depths.
Galaxy S10 Used in Pool and Ocean
Users have shared accounts of using a Galaxy S10 in the deep end of a pool up to 3 meters (10 feet) in depth without issues. Others report using it for shallow ocean swimming without exceeding 3 meters depth.
Galaxy Note 10 Used in Swimming Pool
The Note 10 has been used to take underwater photos and videos in a pool at depths around 2 meters (6.5 feet) for up to 30 minutes without water intrusion.
Limitations from Water Pressure
Despite some devices functioning at greater depths, there are reports of water damage occurring on Galaxy phones at excessive depths such as 10+ meters when diving into water. This indicates that while Samsung phones may be able to survive brief timeframes at these depths, prolonged exposure to high water pressure can still overcome the water seals and cause damage over time.
Maximum Recommended Water Depth
Based on the testing, certifications, and real world accounts, most recent high-end Samsung Galaxy models appear able to withstand periodic water exposure down to 5 meters (16 feet) depth. However, longer or frequent submersion at depths beyond 3 meters (10 feet) could start to present risk of seal failure.
For normal use, staying within the 1.5-3 meter depth that Samsung uses for most internal testing seems prudent to avoid pushing the limitations too far. Going deeper than 5 meters exceeds what Samsung themselves have validated through testing and starts to enter riskier territory with greater probability of water intrusion under pressure.
Here is a quick guide to the maximum recommended water exposure depths for Samsung high-end phones:
| Phone Model | Max Recommended Depth |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S5 | 3 meters |
| Galaxy S7 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy S8 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy S9 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy S10 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy S20 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy Note 8 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy Note 9 | 5 meters |
| Galaxy Note 10 | 5 meters |
Of course, even occasional depths beyond 3 meters may be risky depending on duration, water conditions, and phone condition. Maintenance and precautions are also essential to avoid water damage.
Maintenance and Precautions
To get the full benefit of Samsung’s water resistance, users should take certain basic precautions:
- Ensure all ports and openings are properly sealed with no obstructions or debris.
- Do not expose the phone to liquid chemicals such as soapy water, as Samsung’s tests only account for freshwater and seawater.
- Rinse the phone gently with freshwater after any exposure to chlorinated or salty water to wash away corrosive agents.
- Dry phone thoroughly with a clean soft cloth to avoid moisture buildup and corrosion over time.
- Have phones inspected yearly to ensure water seals remain intact, as seal failure can occur over time.
Following these tips helps maintain water protection and minimizes the chance of liquid ingress from high pressure or corroded seals. However, avoiding damage also depends on understanding how water can penetrate non-water resistant components.
Water Ingress Points
While Samsung phones may resist water at up to 5 meters depth, it’s important to remember that only certain components are designed to be water resistant. Points of water ingress include:
SIM Card Tray
The SIM card tray does not have rubber gaskets to seal it. Water entering here can damage electronic components and short circuit the phone.
Headphone Jack
Headphone ports on models that have them lack waterproofing. External water pressure can force liquid through these openings.
Speaker and Microphone Holes
Small openings for speakers and microphones are not fully water sealed. Water can slowly seep through these points over time when submerged.
Back Glass Panel
If the back glass cracks or chips, the water protection is compromised. Damage to front or back glass should be repaired immediately to retain water resistance.
Charge Port
The charge port is protected by a rubber gasket, but debris, corrosion, or seal wear can result in leaks.
Understanding these vulnerabilities is important, as no phone is 100% impervious to water ingress when barriers are compromised.
Water Damage Liability
Does an IP68 or better water resistance rating completely protect you against water damage? Unfortunately, Samsung’s warranty does not guarantee water protection:
- Liquid damage is cited as a common example of damage not covered by warranty.
- The IP rating and marketing for water resistance are not considered an explicit guarantee.
- Using the device outside design specifications can void protections.
- Failure to follow maintenance procedures like sealing ports before submersion can invalidate claims.
While Samsung phones have excellent water resistance when properly maintained, the liability for damage remains with the consumer if the phone is used outside of Samsung’s testing and recommendations. Staying aware of warranty limitations is important.
Conclusion
In summary, recent high-end Galaxy models are engineered to withstand periodic water exposure up to 5 meters depth based on Samsung testing standards and real world examples. However, durations beyond 30 minutes, frequent submersion, and depths beyond 3 meters should be avoided to minimize seal failure risk. Following proper precautions and maintenance is necessary to retain water protections over the long-term and avoid ingress at vulnerable points. While Samsung’s water resistance is robust, it does not guarantee immunity from liquid damage if the phone is used improperly. Understanding your device’s strengths and limitations allows you to feel confident using it in wet conditions within reason while taking responsibility for mitigating associated risks.