The new Google phones are packed with exciting features. The latest Pixel launch introduces four phones with improved cameras, a new processor, and various AI capabilities. Powered by the new Tensor G4, the Google Pixel 9 series includes the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. These phones are designed for longevity, promising seven years of software upgrades and frequent Pixel Drop updates.
For a phone to last long, it needs to be physically resilient against harmful elements like water and dust. Exposure to these elements can damage a phone, necessitating replacement. This is why some level of dust and water resistance is crucial. So, do the latest Pixel phones offer waterproofing?
Is the Google Pixel 9 waterproof?
The Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL, is IP68 rated. As for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it’s rated IPX8 for water resistance and lacks dust resistance. It’s important to note that these phones are not fully waterproof but rather resistant to dust and water. The terms “waterproof” and “water-resistant” have distinct meanings.
Water resistance indicates that a device can repel water and resist its penetration to a certain extent, but it’s not completely watertight. In contrast, “waterproof” means water cannot penetrate the device, an unattainable standard for any IP-rated smartphone.
Most smartphones today come with some form of IP rating, and the Pixel 9 series boasts an IP68 rating. The digit “6” signifies dust-tightness, capable of withstanding small dust and sand particles.
Similarly, “8” indicates that the new Google phones can endure immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. Going beyond these limits could harm your phone. It’s worth noting that this rating applies only to freshwater. It’s advisable to avoid submerging your IP-rated phones in saltwater as the salt can damage metal components, including the charging port.
Still, be careful with your Pixel 9 phone
Google mentions on its website that “water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and will diminish or be lost over time due to normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly, or damage.”
Remember, the phones are not drop-proof, and a drop could compromise their water and dust resistance. External damage from drops, impacts, or other forces is not covered under warranty. To ensure long-term use of your Pixel 9 phone, consider investing in a protective case, which can extend the device’s lifespan.
