Android phones are proving their resilience in unexpected circumstances. Recently, a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra managed to function perfectly after spending five hours submerged in a freezing Arctic river. This remarkable survival is surprising given that the device’s IP68 rating does not account for such extreme conditions. This incident follows another story where a Pixel 8 remarkably endured four days submerged in a hot tub without suffering any damage.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s adventure began when Swedish wilderness guide Mikael Krekula dropped his phone into an ice fishing hole while testing sonar equipment on the frozen Kalix River. The phone sank approximately three meters and remained trapped beneath the ice for five hours. Undeterred, Mikael created several makeshift tools from birch branches, a plastic bag, and even a fishing net in an effort to retrieve his device. To his astonishment, when he finally retrieved the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it powered on instantly, displaying missed calls as if it had just been resting.
The S23 Ultra’s IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for a maximum of 30 minutes. However, being submerged at a greater depth and in freezing conditions for an extended period certainly tests the limits beyond the manufacturer’s specifications. In another recent case, the Pixel 8 demonstrated similar endurance. After four days in a hot tub, it too emerged unscathed.
These occurrences highlight how some smartphones can withstand challenges far beyond their rated capabilities. For Mikael, whose phone serves as a vital tool for navigation and photography in remote areas, this experience was a wake-up call—he has since added a fishing net to his winter survival kit.
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