Is Smartphone being Water-proof a Myth?
Yes, because there is a difference between smartphones being water-resistant and water-proof. Water-resistant does not mean waterproof, there is a distinctive difference between the two terms. None of the smartphone manufacturing companies claim that their phone is water-proof they may proudly claim that their device is water resistant, and that too with the evidence that water-resistant tests are conducted under very specific conditions.
The reason we were unable to completely enfold the water-proof part is that the technology behind smartphones still contains a highly sensitive bundle of wires and circuits ready to cook up at the entry of the first drop of water. However, the ability of manufacturers to protect it with a bunch of seals and gaskets designed to keep water from getting inside the device has improved significantly.
Which Smartphone was the 1st One to have Water-Resistant Ability:
Historically, the first water-resistant Android smartphone that came out almost more than a decade back was from Motorola, a company focused on cutting-edge smartphones, named the “Motorola Defy” on November 3, 2010. This durable smartphone was specifically crafted for users prone to clumsiness. In addition to its impressive specifications, the phone boasted sturdy construction. Perhaps most notably, it earned an IP67 certification, indicating its ability to endure half an hour of submersion in up to one meter of water, which was a major milestone a decade back.
Water-Resistant Rating:
There are 8 ratings for protection from liquids, with 0 providing the least protection and 8 providing the most protection. In an IP code/rating, the second digit represents how well protected a product is from water and other liquids.
Most recent smartphones are majorly highly rated i.e. IP68, please find the chart defining the water-proof rating:
| IP Code | Protection | Test duration | Usage |
| 0 | No protection. | N/A | N/A |
| 1 | Protection against vertically dripping water. | 10 mins | Light rain |
| 2 | Protection against vertically dripping water when the device is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees. | 10 mins | Light rain |
| 3 | Protection against direct sprays of water when the device is tilted at an angle up to 60 degrees. | 5 mins | Rain and spraying |
| 4 | Protection from sprays and splashing of water in all directions. | 5 mins | Rain, spraying and splashing |
| 5 | Protection from low-pressure water projected from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter opening in any direction. | 3 mins from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing, and direct contact with most kitchen and bathroom faucets |
| 6 | Protection from water projected in powerful jets from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter opening in any direction. | 3 mins from a distance of 3 meters | Rain, splashing, direct contact with kitchen and bathroom faucets, outdoor use in rough sea conditions |
| 7 | Protected from immersion in water with a depth of up to 1 meter (or 3.3 feet) for up to 30 mins. | 30 mins | Rain, splashing and accidental submersion |
| 8 | Protected from immersion in water with a depth of more than 1 meter (manufacturer must specify exact depth). | At least 30 mins | Rain, splashing, and accidental submersion |
Review on Google Pixel 7 and short specs
The Google Pixel 7 is a premium smartphone powered by Google’s Tensor G2 Chip, with a 6.3-inch AMOLED, HDR10+ display at the rate of 90Hz. It has 128GB 8GB RAM, and 256GB 8GB RAM of non-expandable storage. Pixel 6 Pro operates on Android 13 operating systems and supports 5G internet connectivity, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB-C connectivity. It has an in-display fingerprint scanner, face recognition unlock, and stereo speakers, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, its body is dust and water resistant for a rating of IP68. The phone has a 4355 mAh, non-removable battery that supports 20W fast charging and 20W wireless charging. The details on specs especially the ROM of the Google Pixel 7 elaborated on this URL: Best Custom ROMs For The Google Pixel 7 And 7 Pro (droidguides.com)
With its IP68 rating, the Pixel 7 offers significant water resistance, capable of withstanding immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for roughly 30 minutes. which in comparison to the list of water-resistant smartphones in terms of depth is high. However, it’s important to note that prolonged submersion or exposure to deeper water may still cause damage to the device.
The water resistance of the Pixel 7, like any other phone, is subject to degradation over time due to various factors. The phone’s tightly packed components are glued in place to prevent water from reaching them. However, regular usage, accidental drops, or impacts can cause these components to shift, leading to a reduction in the water resistance of the device. Additionally, the presence of openings on the Pixel 7, such as the USB-C port, can allow water to seep in. Once the components are no longer tightly packed and the glue has broken down, water can reach almost any part inside the device.
Competitor Water-resistant Smartphones:
Other devices that are of the same rating and conditional submersion are also available in the market and are listed as they are acing the waterproof phones category are:
- iPhone 14 Pro max: IP68; max 20 feet (6 meters) for 30 minutes
- iPhone SE: IP67; max 3.3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes
- iPhone 14: IP68; max 20 feet (6 meters) for 30 minutes
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: IP68; max 5 feet (1.5 meters) for 30 minutes
- iPhone 13: IP68; max 20 feet (6 meters) for 30 minutes
- Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro: IP68, up to 3 feet (1.5 m) for 30 minutes
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: IP68; max 5 feet (1.5 meters) for 30 minutes
- One Plus 10 Pro: IP68, 1.5 m for 30 minutes
- Google Pixel 6 A: IP67; max 3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes
Conclusion:
Google Pixel 7 is IP68, with water-withstanding ability up to 3 feet (1.5 m) for 30 minutes, which in terms of depth is the highest among its competitors listed above. But coming back to the agenda no seal is perfect. If some water manages to squeeze through the rubber gaskets or glue seals, it can damage the device.
Therefore, one should avoid getting the Pixel 7 or any other similarly rated device wet. While it may survive to contact with moisture, it’s good practice to avoid liquids altogether. This also means you should avoid handling your phone with wet hands or using it in the tub. Also, note that salt water can damage a phone in many ways, so be quite careful around the ocean.
