#Holi2018: These waterproof smartphones will survive the splash
Holi - the feStival of colors, pichkaris, and water balloons - is just around the corner. It's a time for celebration, but these colors and balloons can be a spoilsport for smartphones. However, having a handset that's protected against water and dust will not only ensure a worry-free Holi but will also capture some "colorful" memories. Know which phones can 'survive' your Holi celebrations.
Understanding the IP rating for smartphones
Handsets that come with IP67 and IP68 rating have waterproof abilities. IP67 rating means that the devices can withstand up to 1m of submersion in water for 30 minutes while devices with IP68 rating can be underwater at depths of up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. IP67 and IP68 rated phones are resistant to dust, general-dirt, and sand. Here's a list of such smartphones.
Which iPhones are fully water resistant?
Coming to iPhones, the tenth-anniversary edition iPhone X, starting at Rs. 95,390, is rated IP67, making it splash, water, and dust resistant. Last year's iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and 2016 iPhone models -iPhone 7 and 7 Plus- also come with the same IP67 rating. The starting price of iPhone 8 series is Rs. 67,940 while that of iPhone 7 devices is Rs. 52,370.
Samsung's latest Galaxy S9 phones are IP68 rated
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ smartphones, the latest in the company's flagship series, come with the IP68 rating. Almost all Samsung flagship devices over the past three years, including Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, are rated IP68. Also, the 2017 flagship phablet from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 8, also comes with protection against dust and water with an IP68 rating.
Upper mid-range Samsung phones shielded against water, dust
Samsung introduced the upper-mid-range Galaxy-A series to make the high-end Galaxy-S series accessible to masses. The latest Galaxy A8+ is IP68 rated and is protected against water and dust. It's priced at Rs. 32,990. Galaxy A5 and A7 also come with the same IP68 rating as the top-end Galaxy S9, but for a lesser price.
What about Google Pixel devices?
Google's second-generation Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, have the same water and dust resistance with an IP67 rating. The price of the 5-inch Pixel 2 device starts at Rs. 49,999 while the bigger 6-inch Pixel 2 XL begins at Rs. 59,999.
Waterproof phones from HTC, Sony, LG
HTC's squeezable U11 comes with an IP67 rating. The premium smartphone with EdgeSense technology and squeezable side bezels is priced at Rs. 51,990. LG's V30+ (priced Rs. 44,990) and G6 (costing Rs. 41,990) have IP68-rated dust and water resistance. V30+ is also US MIL-STD 810G compliant. Sony Xperia XZ Premium, launched last year for Rs. 56,900, is IP65/68 rated for water and dust resistance.
