The Samsung Galaxy Watch is built to handle swimming — but there are some detauils to understand before you take it for a dip.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is built to withstand swimming, but there are some key details you need to know before you take it for a dip.
Since the very first Galaxy Watch landed in 2018, Samsung has offered some level of protection against water, and its latest smartwatches make that protection even tougher.
If you’re unsure how waterproof your Samsung Galaxy Watch is, we get into the nitty gritty of all you need to know about whether to keep your Samsung smartwatch on in the shower or whether it’s fit for a diving adventure.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 waterproof?
We’ll start with the Galaxy Watch 7 and the Galaxy Watch FE, which share the same level of protection against moisture. They carry 5 ATM and IP68 durability ratings.
The 5 ATM rating indicates that this watch can withstand pressure from fresh water up to 50 meters deep. When we talk about freshwater, we’re referring to water that isn’t salty, so beds of water like lakes and rivers.
That rating means in terms of activities you can use it for, it’s suitable for swimming, taking a shower, jumping into a swimming pool, or snorkeling. It also means you’ve got something that can handle splashes of water and some rain or snow.
The IP68 rating signifies that it’s also a watch that can be submerged in fresh water up to 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes, giving you an added boost in overall protection against water submersion.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Ultra waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s smartwatch, which is built for more rugged use than the Galaxy Watch 7 and FE. It features a stronger waterproof rating, making it slightly more suitable for water-based adventures.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra includes 10 ATM water and IP68 ratings. That 10 ATM rating means it can be submerged in water up to 100 meters depth. The IP68 rating means the same as the Watch 7 and is your sign that you have a smartwatch that can also be submerged in fresh water up to 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes.
Unlike the Watch 7 and FE, Samsung states that the Galaxy Watch Ultra can be used in saltwater and fresh water, though it advised to rinse it in fresh water after you’ve been in the ocean with it.
It’s designed for the same sorts of water-based activities, such as swimming and showering, but that doesn’t include diving or water-based activities like surfing and water-skiing. These apply a level of water pressure that the Ultra hasn’t been tested to handle.
Are older Galaxy Watches waterproof?
If you’ve picked up or own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or an older Watch Active 2, you may also want to spend some time in the water with it. The Galaxy Watch 3 up to the Watch 5 and Active and Active 2 feature IPX8 and 5 ATM-rated water resistance designs.
That means they can be submerged in fresh water up to 50 meters depth for 30 minutes and in water up to 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes. These watches are primarily designed for pool swims and shallow waters and can be worn in the shower. Like newer Galaxy Watches, they’re not designed for diving or water sports.
If you do happen to leave it on while in seawater, Samsung advises that you rinse it with fresh water and then dry it to avoid any issues with operating the watch afterward.
