Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

Key Takeaways

  • The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand water immersion up to approximately 4.9 feet for up to 30 minutes without damage.
  • However, it is important to understand that water resistance does not mean the device is waterproof. It can resist water to a certain extent, but it is not impervious to water.
  • Samsung advises against using the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in beach or pool environments, as its water resistance may reduce over time due to wear and tear.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 has various enhancements to its predecessor. Specifications-wise, the Z Fold 5 is undoubtedly a solid foldable smartphone. Nonetheless, with its $1,800 price tag, you should be concerned about the device's durability.

The first consideration is the hinge, which the company revamped and made more robust. However, how about water resistance? Is the Galaxy Z Fold 5 waterproof?

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Has an IPX8 Rating

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has an IPX8 rating for water resistance, which was first introduced in the Z Fold 3 and was retained in the Z Fold 4. But what does this mean in common language? First, the Z Fold 5 has been tested for water resistance using the industry's standard method that gives smartphones a rating based on the Ingress Protection (IP) codes.

You'll find two digits after IP, which hints at the kind of dust and water resistance levels the device has. For the Z Fold 5, the X means Samsung did not test for protection against solids like dust. In contrast, the 8 shows the company tested it for water resistance.

Protection level 8 means the Galaxy Z Fold 5 can withstand water immersion up to approximately 4.9 feet for up to 30 minutes without entry. In other words, the Z Fold 5 is only resistant to water ingression under specific conditions, which is not to be confused with being waterproof.

Even Samsung advises against beach or pool use and warns the device's level of water resistance will reduce as time goes by because of wear and tear. The underlying fact remains that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is not waterproof.

Waterproof vs. Water Resistance

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 design
Image Credit: Samsung

There's a difference between waterproof and water resistant. Waterproof means that the device is impervious to water. On the other hand, water resistance implies that a device can only resist the entry of water to a certain extent.

For the Galaxy Z Fold 5's case, it's only up to approximately 4.9 feet deep of fresh water for 30 minutes. Like the Z Fold 5, the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4 are also not waterproof. Even away from foldable devices, no Android phones or iPhones are waterproof.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 Is Not Waterproof

Like other smartphones, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 is not waterproof. The water-resistance rating should give you some assurance that the device won't be instantly damaged if you drop it in a puddle or spill your drink on it, but that doesn't mean you should be careless with it. Always handle your device with care, no matter what the specifications say.