Water resistance is now a prominent feature of flagship devices, although we are now starting to see them on midrange phones. Unfortunately, cheap waterproof phones are not easy to come by, and most of the time, you have to rely on older flagships to get a waterproof phone. However, if you don’t want to worry about water damaging your phone, you should consider buying some affordable phones.
Phones come with different levels of IP rating. Some are waterproof, and others are water-resistant; it is essential to understand the difference when buying a water-resistant phone. They usually come with numbers like IP67 or IP68; both numbers have a particular time and depth they can withstand in water. It is also best to stick by what the brands suggest and not try to submerge your phone in water for too long. Water can still damage a phone with an IP certification. Here is a comprehensive list of the best affordable waterproof phones.
Top 10 Best Cheap Waterproof Phones
1. iPhone 13
Specs
- Display: 6.1 inch
- Chipset: A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128/256/512GB
- Software: IOS 15
- Camera: 12MP + 12MP
- Selfie Camera: 12MP + 3D depth Sensor
- Battery: 3095mAh
The iPhone 13 is powered by the A15 Bionic, the most powerful chipset on a phone, and it also has a 6.1-inch Retina OLED Promotion display. The phone has one of the best cameras you can find on a smartphone right now, and it costs less than a thousand dollars. It is one of the most affordable waterproof phones right now, and it also has amazing battery life. The phone has 4GB Ram with a model with 512GB of storage space. It has an IP68 water and dust resistant rating and can survive 30 minutes in water at 6m deep. So you can take it to the shower or swimming pool, and it will be fine.
2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Specs
- Display: 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED
- Chipset: Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Software: Android 12
- Camera: 50MP + 10MP + 12MP
- Selfie Camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4500mAh
The Galaxy S22 Plus is another excellent waterproof phone with a Dynamic AMOLED display visible underwater. Depending on your region, it is powered by either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200. The cameras on the phone are excellent, and you should expect crisp photos in the pool. It has IP68 water and dust resistance rating and will stay in water for 30 minutes. The phone cost $900, and it has to be on the list of cheap waterproof phones.
3. Pixel 6
Specs
- Display: 6.4-inch AMOLED
- Chipset: Google Tensor
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Software: Android 12
- Camera: 50MP + 12MP
- Selfie Camera: 8MP
- Battery: 4614mAh
Google went for a total reform with the Pixel 6, and they even built their first generation google tensor chipset to rival apple with their silicon chipsets. The phone has a unique design, but software issues have disrupted it since its release, which is surprising considering that Google is a software company. There have been many complaints by consumers and enthusiasts about fingerprint scanners not working properly, bug issues on the interface, and more. On the other hand, it has excellent cameras and excellent performance. Battery life is excellent, and it also has IP68 water and dust resistance rating that lets you take it along with you to a swim. The pixel 6 costs around $600 at most, and it deserves to be on the list of cheap waterproof phones.
4. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Specs
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED
- Chipset: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 4/6/8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Software: Android 12, One UI 4.1
- Camera: 64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP
- Selfie Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5000mAh
The Galaxy A53 is one of the cheap waterproof phones you can buy without spending too much. It has IP67 water and dust resistance rating that lets you submerge it in water for 30 minutes. It is fantastic to see that Samsung brings waterproof features to their midrange devices. Unfortunately, the phone comes without a charger in the box, and it also doesn’t have a headphone jack.
Samsung made big calls to remove a headphone jack on a budget device. The cameras on the phone are okay, and the performance is excellent too. Unfortunately, the 5000 milliampere battery needs a 25W fast charger that you have to buy separately, costing almost $15. If you want to buy the Galaxy A53, it costs $400, making it one of the most affordable on the list.
5. Oppo Find X5 Pro
Specs
- Display: 6.7-inch LTPO2 AMOLED
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12GB
- Storage: 256/512GB
- Software: Android 12, Color OS 12.1
- Camera: 50MP + 13MP + 50MP
- Selfie Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5000mAh
The Oppo Find X5 Pro has a unibody design separating it from other phones competing. It is one of the first phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The phone can be submerged for 30 minutes because of the IP68 water and dust resistance rating. It has a great display, and battery life is on par with other flagship phones listed here.
6. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G – Cheap Waterproof Phones
Specs
- Display: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED
- Chipset: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 6/8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Software: Android 12, One UI 4.1
- Camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP
- Selfie Camera: 13MP
- Battery: 5000mAh
The Galaxy A33 5G share many features with the Galaxy A53 5G. It is the cheapest phone on this list with water resistance ratings. It has a super bright AMOLED display that is visible underwater. The phone also has a 5000 milliampere battery supporting 25W fast charging. The cameras are decent, and photos will also be good underwater. The phone cost slightly above 300 dollars, and it is one of the cheap waterproof phones money can buy. Unfortunately, Samsung also doesn’t add a charger in the box of the Galaxy A33 5G.
7. Vivo X70 Pro+
Specs
- Display: 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED
- Chipset: Snapdragon 888+
- RAM: 8/12GB
- Storage: 128/256/512GB
- Software: Android 11, Fun touch OS 12
- Camera: 50MP + 12MP + 50MP + 8MP
- Selfie Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4500mAh
The Vivo X70 Pro+ has an LTPO AMOLED display with the Snapdragon 888+ processor capable of handling the most demanding tasks. It has one of the most versatile cameras on a smartphone. The phone can be submerged in water for 30 minutes because of its IP68 water resistance rating. It has a 4500 milliampere battery with support for 55W fast charging. It is one of the best waterproof phones available on the market.
8. iPhone 11 Pro Max
Specs
- Display: 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED
- Chipset: A13 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64/256/512GB
- Software: Upgradable to IOS 15
- Camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
- Selfie Camera: 12MP + SL 3D
- Battery: 3969mAh
The iPhone 11 Pro max is three years old, and it was initially released with an IP68 water resistance rating. It can be used to take showers and swim in a pool. The phone still has a great camera, even by today’s standard. It is also not lacking in performance because the A13 Bionic chip is still competent. Battery life is decent, and we have to appreciate how apple optimizes battery on their phones. It is affordable because there has been a price reduction since the phone was initially released in September 2019.
9. Pixel 5a 5G
Specs
- Display: 6.34-inch OLED
- Chipset: Snapdragon 756 5G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Software: Android 12
- Camera: 12.2MP + 16MP
- Selfie Camera: 8MP
- Battery: 4680mAh
The Pixel 5a 5G is an excellent device and affordable. It has water resistance ratings, and it will survive in water for 30 minutes. The phone has a premium build with the traditional fingerprint scanner at the back. It has an excellent camera, just like other pixel phones; the Snapdragon 756 5 G handles efficient performance to handle demanding tasks. In addition, the phone costs $450, and it is certainly a good bargain for a waterproof phone.
10. Samsung Galaxy S21
Specs
- Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED
- Chipset: Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Software: Upgradable to Android 12
- Camera: 12MP + 12MP + 64MP
- Selfie Camera: 10MP
- Battery: 4000mAh
Finally, we have the Galaxy S21, and it costs $450, making it a great option if you want a phone that can last in water for 30 minutes. The phone has a great display and battery life. It also doesn’t fall short in terms of performance. The cameras are excellent, and it only makes sense to add them to this list.
Conclusion – cheap waterproof phones
Waterproof phones are not affordable, and I can’t suggest those rugged phones that claim to be waterproof to people when I know they are not. However, you can now buy a waterproof phone for around 300 dollars, thanks to Samsung. Hopefully, you will find a phone from this list and buy it. It is also good to put it at the back of your mind not to push a waterproof phone beyond its limits. The phone will get damaged.
