Summary
- The Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra all have an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water. They can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.
- Water resistance does not mean that no water enters the device, but rather that it won't impede functionality. Water exposure can temporarily affect sound quality, but it should return to normal after the water dries.
- For greater water resistance or protection from liquids, users can use waterproof cases. These transparent pouches tightly seal the phone and prevent water from entering. There are several affordable options available on Amazon.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 has an IP68 rating, indicating a certain level of resistance to dust and liquid, but what does that mean exactly? Is it waterproof and how waterproof is it? Furthermore, does the rating vary between the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra models? IP ratings are quite nuanced, so it is important to know all the details before dunking a new phone in the pool or ocean.
Every Galaxy S series phone since the Galaxy S7 has had an IP68 rating, so owners of these phones may already have a good idea of how waterproof they can be. The Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra share the same IP68 rating, according to Samsung's website, which is an international standard. The number 6 rates the dust resistance and indicates that no dust can enter the phone whatsoever. The number 8, on the other hand, measures water resistance. Coming to the depth measurement, the allowable depth is 1.5 meters, which is 5 feet. However, there is even more to consider before diving with a shiny new IP68-rated phone.
Little Known Details Of An IP Rating
Now that it is clear a Samsung Galaxy S20 can be submerged in liquid as deep as 1.5 meters, the next thing to consider is the time it can stay submerged, which is 30 minutes. This is a fairly long time when it comes to protection from a plunge into the aquarium, but may feel short if the phone falls into a lake and takes a while to be retrieved. Regardless, it is important to keep the duration in mind, and never purposely submerging a device, even one with an IP68 rating.
Additionally, the type of water can also make a big difference. Salt water is not good for any tech device and can lead to corrosion. An ocean dip is fine if it falls in by accident, but the phone should be rinsed with fresh water immediately afterwards, and long term exposure should be avoided. Likewise, chlorinated pool water can be damaging so keep it short. Sugary water and acidic water, like a carbonated soda is discouraged as well. For reference, testing is done with plain water with nothing added, so anything else may cause harm to the phone.
One more detail about water resistance – it doesn't imply that no water enters the device. It simply indicates that this won't impede functionality. For example, phones that are submerged in water may get moisture in the speakers that temporarily affects sound level and quality. The sound should return to normal after the water dries though.
Use A Waterproof Case With The Galaxy S20
For those in need of greater water resistance or protection from other liquids, there are various waterproof cases on the market. This type of case is a transparent pouch that the phone can be placed into and then tightly sealed to prevent water from entering. Users can then take their Galaxy S20 (or any other smartphone) with them to the pool or ocean to capture photos. These types of cases are also great for use at the beach, even if not taking the phone inside water.
A waterproof case like this will protect the Galaxy S20 from any moisture ingress, while also preventing sand particles from entering ports and crevices and scratching the display. A quick search for waterproof phone cases on Amazon will reveal several options priced starting at $8, but the one from CaseMate stands out, as it not only allows users to interact with the phone's touch screen, but even floats, so that the phone can be easily recovered if dropped in deep water.
Which Other Samsung Phones Are Waterproof?
The Galaxy S20 is an old Samsung device, and while it might make sense to use if it's been passed down from the previous user, those in the market for a waterproof smartphone can consider newer options from the brand. As with the Galaxy S20 series, all models in the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Galaxy S23 series also have an IP68 rating, which means they offer the same level of water resistance. The cheaper Galaxy S21 FE also has the same IP rating.
Samsung has also included an IP rating on its newer foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 and later. All these devices have an IPX8 rating, which means they can also survive immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, these phones don't have an official rating for dust resistance, which means users should be wary of taking them to dusty areas where tiny particles could get embedded into the display and ports. Finally, those looking for a cheaper Samsung phone with water-resistance can consider the Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A54 5G, which have an IP67 rating that allow them to survive in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.