Is the Galaxy Watch water resistant? What you need to know about water resistance

• Galaxy watches are water resistant, not waterproof, meaning that water can enter the device under certain circumstances.

• Samsung Galaxy Watches are rated at 5ATM and IP68, except for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is rated at 10ATM.

• Although Galaxy watches can be submerged in water, they are not rated for diving or high-pressure water activities.

Ever since Samsung first debuted the Galaxy Watch series, these watches have been advertised as ready for all workouts, including water-based ones. Is this just another layer of marketing or are Samsung Galaxy watches as water resistant as they claim?

Water resistant vs. Impervious

Before deciding whether it’s safe to use the Galaxy Watch to track your swim time, it’s important to distinguish between waterproof and water-resistant.

Waterproof items are waterproof, which means that water cannot seep in under any circumstances. Waterproof items, however, are only able to hold water under certain circumstances.

Additionally, while water resistance can degrade over time, waterproof products remain waterproof for their anticipated lifetime. This is why very few, if any, consumer products are truly waterproof.

When the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) updated its standard for water resistant watches in 2010, companies were prohibited from advertising consumer watches of any type as water resistant. That said, Samsung watches are water resistant as advertised, not waterproof.

ATM and IP ratings explained

To help consumers easily understand how water resistant these watches are, Samsung offers two ratings. The first is the ATM rating and the second is the IP rating.

The ATM (atmosphere) rating measures how much static water pressure a device can withstand. 1ATM is equal to 10 meters (sea level) or about 14.7 PSI. This has been the standard unit for water resistance in watches since 1990, when the ISO released its first standard on the subject, making it the most common unit used for smartwatches today.

Samsung is one of the few manufacturers that also includes an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. Standardized by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 1976IP ratings consist of two numbers. The main number indicates how well a device can withstand solids like dust, while the second number indicates the device’s water resistance.

To receive an ATM or IP rating, manufacturers must submit their products to appropriate testing designated by the associated authority. This helps ensure that all ratings are standardized across manufacturers.

Galaxy Watch ATM and IP ratings

From the inaugural Galaxy Watch to the Watch7 and every iteration in between, Samsung watches have met the criteria for 5ATM and IP68 ratings. While Galaxy Watch Ultra retains an IP68 rating, its 10ATM rating makes it the most durable watch in the range.

ATM ratings indicate that most Galaxy Watches can theoretically withstand 50 meters or about 73.5 PSI of static water pressure, and the Watch Ultra can withstand 100 meters or about 147 PSI. In addition, the IP rating indicates that Galaxy watches are dustproof and can withstand continuous immersion in water under certain conditions.

Despite these impressive numbers, Samsung still warns that none of their watches are suitable for pressurized water activities or diving. This is not cautious on Samsung’s part. You may have noticed that the ratings given are theoretical and circumstantial, which is due to test conditions compared to real-life activities.

While ATM testing demonstrates a device’s ability to withstand certain pressure levels in fresh, chlorinated, and salt water, the testing is specifically performed in static water and generally does not indicate how long a device can withstand that pressure . However, Samsung chooses to specify that the Galaxy Watch Ultra can withstand up to 100m of fresh water for up to 10 minutes.

IP rating also has its disadvantages. Like ATM testing, IP testing is performed under controlled laboratory conditions. Additionally, IP testing is only done in still, fresh water. IP ratings also indicate the device’s performance in up to 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Care tips from Samsung

Even with the test conditions taken into account, Samsung Galaxy watches are water resistant and suitable for water activities, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra being the most durable of the range. Samsung also published a list of tips to help you get the most out of your watch in all conditions.

Here, it was reiterated that these watches are not rated for diving and should not be exposed to high water pressure. Snorkelers, surfers and other ocean enthusiasts are also advised to rinse the Galaxy Watch with fresh water and dry it thoroughly after a day at sea. Samsung further warns that high-impact drops can weaken structural integrity and reduce water resistance.