Most recent iPhones from iPhone 7 onward are water‑resistant (not truly “waterproof”) with different IP ratings and depth limits.

Quick Scoop: Which iPhones Are “Waterproof”?

In everyday language, when people say “waterproof iPhone,” they usually mean water‑resistant under specific lab‑test conditions. Here’s the lineup by generation.

iPhones with stronger IP68 resistance

These models are rated IP68 and can generally handle up to 30 minutes at greater depths (often up to around 6 meters, depending on model).

  • iPhone 16 family (standard / Pro lines).
  • iPhone 15 family.
  • iPhone 14 family.
  • iPhone 13 family.
  • iPhone 12 family.
  • iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max (IP68, up to about 4 m for 30 min).
  • iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max (IP68, up to about 2 m for 30 min).

In short: newer flagship iPhones (XS and later, plus 11/12/13/14/15/16 families) have the best water resistance in the lineup.

iPhones with IP67 resistance

These are still water‑resistant, but only up to about 1 meter for 30 minutes in fresh water.

  • iPhone SE (2020, 2022).
  • iPhone XR.
  • iPhone X.
  • iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
  • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

These can usually handle rain, splashes, and a quick drop in shallow water, but they’re less capable than the newer IP68 models.

Older iPhones (not water‑resistant)

  • iPhone 6 series and anything older (5s, 5c, 5, 4s, etc.) have no official water‑resistance rating and should be treated as not waterproof at all.

Reality Check: “Waterproof” vs Real‑World Use

Manufacturers and repair pros emphasize that iPhones are water‑resistant, not guaranteed waterproof , and that resistance can decline over time due to wear, impacts, and repairs. Apple warns that liquid damage is not covered under standard warranty even for rated models.

A few key points users and forum posters often raise:

  • Lab tests use clean, still water; ocean, pool, and soapy water are harsher.
  • Repeated drops or aging seals can reduce protection.
  • Many people report casual swims or underwater videos that worked fine, but others report sudden failures from similar exposure.

So you can think of modern iPhones as “accident‑proof for water” rather than “swim‑proof,” unless you add a dedicated waterproof case.

HTML Table: iPhone Water Resistance by Model

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>iPhone generation</th>
      <th>Approx. models</th>
      <th>IP rating</th>
      <th>Test depth & time (lab)</th>
      <th>Officially water‑resistant?</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone 16 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 series</td>
      <td>Standard, mini, Pro, Pro Max variants where applicable[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>IP68[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>Up to ~6 m for 30 minutes (model‑dependent)[web:1][web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Yes – high water resistance[web:1][web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max</td>
      <td>Flagship Pro line[web:1][web:5][web:9]</td>
      <td>IP68[web:1][web:5][web:9]</td>
      <td>Up to ~4 m for 30 minutes[web:1][web:5]</td>
      <td>Yes – strong water resistance[web:1][web:5][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone 11 / XS / XS Max</td>
      <td>2018–2019 flagships[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>IP68[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>Up to ~2 m for 30 minutes[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
      <td>Yes – solid water resistance[web:1][web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone SE (2020, 2022)</td>
      <td>SE 2nd & 3rd gen[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>IP67[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Up to 1 m for 30 minutes[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Yes – basic water resistance[web:1][web:5][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone XR / X</td>
      <td>Late‑2017/2018 models[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>IP67[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Up to 1 m for 30 minutes[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Yes – basic water resistance[web:1][web:5][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone 8 / 8 Plus / 7 / 7 Plus</td>
      <td>First water‑resistant iPhones[web:1][web:5][web:7][web:9]</td>
      <td>IP67[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Up to 1 m for 30 minutes[web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Yes – entry water resistance[web:1][web:5][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>iPhone 6 series and older</td>
      <td>6s, 6, 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, etc.[web:1][web:5][web:6]</td>
      <td>No IP rating[web:1][web:5][web:6]</td>
      <td>Not tested for submersion[web:6][web:8]</td>
      <td>No – treat as not water‑resistant[web:1][web:5][web:6]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Mini Forum‑Style Takeaways

“Are these phones waterproof?”
Technically, they’re water‑resistant and can usually survive accidental dunks, rain, or quick pool drops, but intentional underwater use is still a risk.

Different users report everything from “swam in the ocean and filmed turtles” to “one drop in a pool and it died,” which shows how variable real‑world outcomes can be. If you want to confidently shoot underwater or around heavy splashes, a dedicated waterproof case is still the safest move.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.