The iPhone 7 is water-resistant, which is a new feature for Apple’s flagship, but there’s a difference between being water-resistant and waterproof. The iPhone 7 scores an IP67 rating. IP stands for “Ingress Protection,” while the 6 means that it’s dustproof and the 7 means that it can survive being submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. In practice, it may survive longer than that or cope with greater depths, but Apple isn’t making any promises in that regard and we would strongly advise against putting it to the test.
If that level of water resistance isn’t going to cut it for you, and you want to be able to take your new phone surfing, swimming, or to the pool without having to worry, then you should snag a waterproof case. Be careful when shopping for waterproof iPhone 7 cases, however, because there are a few out there that only match the IP67 rating that the iPhone already has. The cases below offer a little something extra. If you just want a new style or drop protection, then check out the best iPhone 7 cases.
This rugged case from Lifeproof boasts an IP68 rating, which means it can be immersed at a depth of up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) for an hour. It will also keep dirt, snow, and rain from damaging your iPhone 7. Drop protection is good, too, and your iPhone can survive drops of up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) unscathed when it’s wearing the Fre case. It’s a fairly bulky case with a built-in screen protector, chunky button covers, and port covers that still provides easy access to all of your favorite iPhone features. You can choose from a wide range of color combinations.
Here’s another tough iPhone case that offers IP68 protection. This one combines silicone, polycarbonate, and rubber for a secure fit that also offers drop protection at up to 6.6 feet (2 meters). As you’d expect, there’s a secure port cover, button covers, and accurate cutouts for the camera and Touch ID, but there’s no screen protector – this case forms a seal with the touchscreen instead. While this ensures touch sensitivity isn’t impacted, it does also leave your screen exposed. The rubber bumper and textured back add some grip, and there are four colors to choose from.
Waterproof iPhone 7 cases let you surf, swim, or splash without fear [Digital Trend]