The OnePlus 13 has just released in the U.S., and it comes packed with a lot of features to be excited about. It runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of memory storage space, runs on OxygenOS 15 — OnePlus’ equivalent of AndroidOS 15 — carries Sony cameras, and houses its homemade AI program, OnePlus AI.
As you’re researching the phone’s specs, you’re probably trying to figure out the most important element that any and every smartphone should have: Is the OnePlus 13 waterproof? Let us save you the guesswork with the facts.
The OnePlus 13 carries a dual rating of IP68 and IP69, a feat that few other phones have accomplished — certainly not an iPhone. The IP68 rating means that the OnePlus 13 will survive water immersion of at least 1.5 meters in depth, while IP69 means that it can handle high-pressure jets in hot water (up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit). A dual IP rating means the OnePlus 13 has been tested to meet a bunch of water-resistance tests, which is especially helpful if you’re prone to accidents like dropping your phone in the pool, the ocean water at the beach, or — heavens forbid — the toilet.
Most Android and Apple devices carry only one IP rating, and how they’re rated depends on their design. For example, the foldable Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 are both rated IP48, meaning that they can survive water immersion, but problems will arise if any dust or sand particles enter the hinges. All the iPhone 16 models, on the other hand, carry the IP68 rating like their predecessors, granting them durability against water and dust within reason.
The OnePlus 13 has surpassed many of its competitors in that regard with not one but two IP ratings. However, just because the phone carries the IP68 and IP69 ratings doesn’t mean it should be exposed to water in any capacity on a daily basis. If you take pool selfies while sitting on a floating chair in the water or take underwater pictures with your phone while scuba diving (as a hobby or as part of your job as a marine biologist or similar), it’s best to seal it in a waterproof pouch with a lanyard, which you can find on Amazon or any other smartphone accessory retailer. The camera quality may not look the best because the lens is covered in a plastic film, but it’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of the IP ratings is to ensure your phone is protected from accidents, not constant elemental exposure.
The OnePlus 13R, the affordable variant of the OnePlus 13, is water-resistant but not waterproof. This is because it carries an IP65 rating, which is the lowest level of waterproof protection compared to IP68 and IP69.
The IP65 rating means the phone is dustproof and protected from water jets at any angle, but it cannot withstand extreme weather conditions. It can take on heavy rainfall, but not flooding, so you may need to be careful not to drop it in floodwater if you find yourself in that situation.
Although many phones on the market are waterproof now, we strongly advise not to submerge the OnePlus 13 underwater on purpose. The phone’s dual rating of IP68 and IP69 rating — and the OnePlus 13R’s single IP65 rating — is only used as an insurance policy rather than a feature.
If taking pictures underwater is part of your job, as we said before, place your phone in a waterproof pouch. The camera quality may decrease because the lens is covered by a plastic film, but it’s better than no protection at all.
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