Water Resistant Smartphones Starting Under Rs 21000 With Strong IP Ratings

Moto G96 5G offers IP68 protection.

Realme GT 7 comes with IP69 rating.

Nothing Phone 3 features IP68 protection.

A smartphone can face plenty of risks during everyday use, especially when rain, dust or accidental splashes become part of the routine. That makes water and dust resistance worth considering alongside the camera, battery and display.

The good news is that buyers no longer need to look only at expensive flagship phones for better protection. Several mid range and premium smartphones now come with IP68 or IP69 ratings, giving users an added layer of protection in demanding conditions.

Here are five smartphones that stand out for their combination of durability and hardware.

Moto G96 5G

The Moto G96 5G is the most affordable option in this selection, with a starting price of around Rs 18999. It features a 6.67 inch curved P OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 1600 nits of peak brightness.

Power comes from the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, paired with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. For photography, the phone has a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 32MP front camera.

A 5500mAh battery with 33W fast charging keeps the device running through the day. The IP68 rating is one of its key advantages, offering protection against dust and water under specified testing conditions.

Samsung Galaxy A37 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G moves into a higher price segment, with the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version priced at around Rs 36999. It has a 6.7 inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1900 nits.

The phone is equipped with an Exynos 1480 processor and comes with RAM options of 8GB and 12GB. Storage can go up to 256GB.

Its camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 5MP macro camera. A 12MP front camera handles selfies and video calls. The 5000mAh battery supports 45W fast charging, while the IP68 rating adds protection against dust and water.

Oppo Reno16c 5G

The Oppo Reno16c 5G is positioned higher, with a reported starting price of around Rs 49999. It features a 6.57 inch AMOLED display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1400 nits of HBM brightness.

The smartphone uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and offers up to 12GB RAM with storage options reaching 256GB.

Photography is a major part of the package. The rear system includes a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera and an 8MP ultrawide camera. There is also a 50MP front camera for selfies.

A 6500mAh battery with 45W SuperVOOC charging provides the power. Its IP69 rating is the standout durability feature, giving the phone a higher level of resistance against water and dust exposure under supported conditions.

Realme GT 7

For users looking for a performance focused option, the Realme GT 7 offers a strong combination of hardware and durability. Its starting price is around Rs 45999.

The phone features a 6.78 inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 6000 nits. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e processor and is available with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

The camera system consists of a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP telephoto camera. A 32MP front camera is provided for selfies.

The 7000mAh battery supports 120W fast charging. The IP69 rating further strengthens the phone’s appeal for buyers who want better protection against water and dust.

Nothing Phone 3

At the premium end of this list, the Nothing Phone 3 starts at Rs 79999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version. It comes with a 6.67 inch flexible AMOLED display offering a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 4500 nits of peak brightness.

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and offers up to 16GB RAM with storage options reaching 512GB.

Its rear camera setup features three 50MP sensors covering the main, ultrawide and periscope functions. A 50MP front camera is also included.

The 5150mAh battery supports 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. With an IP68 rating, the Nothing Phone 3 also provides protection against dust and water.

For buyers who regularly deal with rain, accidental splashes or dusty surroundings, an IP rating can provide useful peace of mind. However, an IP68 or IP69 rating does not make a phone completely waterproof, and protection depends on the testing conditions specified by the manufacturer.