Is OnePlus Nord Waterproof?

Here is a detailed discussion revolving around OnePlus Nord waterproof certification and its water resistance. The new Nord does not replace OnePlus 8 / 8 Pro, rather it sets itself within a more value focused market class. Packed with top notch hardware and a competitive price, OnePlus Nord makes for a true flagship killer. Now, to bring the pricing down from standard OnePlus 8 series devices, some features had to be cut; whether water proofing made it or not on OnePlus Nord, let’s discuss ahead!

OnePlus devices have mostly been without any official waterproof certification and only recently did we get our first water-resistance certified device from the brand in the form of OnePlus 8 Pro. Studying how phones have deeply integrated themselves within our daily lives, OnePlus agrees that water resistance is a must-have feature for a modern phone rather than just being a gimmick. But, to achieve water and dust resistance, extra effort has to be made in the design & manufacturing process of any phone which then results in higher cost for the end consumer. So, the question arises, does OnePlus Nord achieve its low price by skipping water resistance?

IP Ratings and Differences: IP53 / IP66 / IP67 / IP68

Water resistance itself can be measured on a standard scale referred to as IP or Ingress Protection. This scale details multiple levels of protection against dust and water.

Unlike other scales, there is a two-value system for IP as it caters both dust and water resistance. In technical terms, water corresponds to foreign liquid penetration and dust corresponds to foreign solid penetration. Since the most common solid that can enter a phone is dust and most common liquid is water, IP system details these two substances in its official listings for phones.

Here are the IP scale divisions and the quality of protection for each. Higher IP value equates to better protection:

IP Rating / IP Code	Description
IP53	Rated as protected against solid bodies larger than 1mm and protected against water splashes.
IP66	Rated as “dust tight” and protected against heavy seas or powerful jets of water.
IP67	Rated as “dust tight” and protected against immersion.
IP68	Rated as “dust tight” and protected against complete, continuous submersion in water.
IP69 / IP69K	Rated as “dust tight” and protected against high-pressure / steam jet water.

OnePlus Nord IP Rating

After establishing the basics of IP rating system, we now shift our focus to OnePlus Nord and whether it has been certified with any IP rating. Keep in mind, to be a water resistant phone, a minimum IP68 value is required. Few values below 68 do offer protection against water but not submersion hence IP68 is considered to be the safe point when it comes to water resistance.

OnePlus Nord places itself well in the lower mid-range price bracket. To achieve this, unfortunately, OnePlus has skipped adding water resistant certification to the phone. This means OnePlus Nord is not water resistant or waterproof. As unfortunate as it is, this isn’t something that plagues only the Nord. Almost all phones in this price bracket skip on water resistance certification. Further, brands think that consumers will trade off water resistance for better specs — true for most users!

Despite having no water resistant specification, the OnePlus Nord does come with a sealed SIM slot which makes us think that it might survive water splashes. More, in the past, many users have reported OnePlus phones surviving water submersion even though the phones in question weren’t IP certified.

Dos and Don’ts with OnePlus Nord

OnePlus Nord does not have a water resistant IP certification which means owners should be extra careful with their phones when it comes to moisture and water. We recommend avoid using the phone near pools, water containers and all other precautions that apply to fragile electronics. There is certain protection included in the phone such as rubber seals around the SIM slot but then again, it is better to not test them purposefully.

Water damage is one thing that many warranties do not cover so precaution is necessary. If you suspect that your phone will be exposed to water even if you take care, we recommend getting a water proof case or a case that has seals for the phone’s ports.

What to do After Water Damage?

If you find yourself with a phone that has been submerged in water or its internals have been exposed to moisture, there are few things you can try to fix it on your own before you take it to a service center. First, make sure to narrow down the problem to moisture. Clear signs of water damage include a malfunctioning display, cracking speaker and charging port not accepting charge.

Once you confirm that your device is indeed water damaged, we recommend immediately powering it down. After it is turned off, implement the following procedure:

Rice Bag Method

One of the most popular DIY tricks to fix water damage on phones (and electronics in general) is the rice bag method. Once you pull out your phone back from the pool, pond or any water, power it OFF. Do not turn it back ON or you will risk short-circuiting the main board. Now put the phone is a sealed bag of rice and keep it inside for atleast 2-3 days.

Rice is known for absorbing water and this is exactly what it will do from inside your phone. Take out the phone after a few days and turn it on. If it powers on like normal, there is a good chance that would have fixed your water damage. However, if you still feel the phone is not functioning properly, you might have to take it to an official service center for repair.

OnePlus Nord Waterproof – FAQs

Here are answers to popular questions that prospective OnePlus Nord buyers will be asking, in terms of water resistance: