With its unique, rotating triple-lens camera, the Samsung Galaxy A80 is the perfect smartphone for capturing a range of dramatic photos. Whether you’re looking for a stunning landscape or the ultimate selfie, the A80 utilises a rotating camera mechanism to make the most of it’s triple-lens setup. But is the Samsung Galaxy A80 water resistant?
The Samsung Galaxy A80 is not ‘officially’ water resistant and does not come with an IP rating due to the camera mechanisms. It is draped in Corning Gorilla Glass which provides an extra layer of safety, offering very mild resistance from water.
The Samsung Galaxy A80 can be purchased from Clove Technology, for £616 including VAT.
What is Gorilla Glass, and will this help with water resistance?
Gorilla Glass is a well-known brand, producing chemically strengthened glass that is designed to be thin and light so that it can be used on a range of handheld, electronic devices – and importantly, damage resistant!
Indeed, in production glass is immersed in a proprietary, hot, potassium-salt, ion-exchange bath to gain its surface strength and crack resistance. The glass then undergoes vigorous testing for flexibility, scratch resistance and impact protection before mass production.
The rear of the Samsung Galaxy A80 is coated in the newest Corning Gorilla Glass 6 which, on average, survived 15 consecutive drops from 1m onto rough surfaces. The front of the device is also coated in the scratch and damage resistant Gorilla Glass 3.
Whilst Gorilla Glass is produced for damage resistance rather than water resistance, it does provide devices with a thin extra layer which is durable and resilient.
As such, if you think of it as an extra layer of protection to your device, then you might get a rough idea of how this might work in the face of small drops of water such as light rain.
Why doesn’t the Samsung Galaxy A80 come with an IP rating?
We’re big fans of that sliding camera mechanism here at Clove Technology, however these moving parts – coupled with the mid-range standing – mean that the Galaxy A80 completely forfeits any sort of IP rating for water and/or dust resistance.
When you want to make use of that front camera, then not only does the A80 slide up, but the camera also utilises a complex rotating system. In this way, a rotation mechanism simply flips the cameras from facing the rear to the front of the phone and back again.
Now when the device pops up, a gap is created on the side and top of the phone. Water, dust, lint and other particles are therefore more able to work their way into the slider module and into the innards of the phone where they do most damage.
Compare this to other devices in which the only gaps available are small headphone jacks or speaker grilles and you can see why it would be nigh-on impossible for the Galaxy A80 to be IP-certified.
Despite this, the phone is said to come with a clear, plastic case in the box. This will cover three sides of the phone, with the top left open so that camera is able to slide up with ease.
We would always exercise caution whilst using your smartphone around water anyway, so this shouldn’t be a deal breaker for most.
What is an IP rating and is it important?
An IP rating is an international standard which is used to define levels of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies (such as dirt and dust) and moisture.
These ratings are presented in the form of ‘IP’ (Ingress Protection) followed by two numbers; for example, IP65.
The first of these numbers refers to protection against solids and ranges from 1 to 6, with the higher the number, the better the protection. For example, ‘1’ indicates protection against solid objects over 50mm, whilst a ‘6’ rating indicates that a device is dust tight.
The second number refers to protection from liquids and ranges from 1 to 8. Again, the higher the number, the better the protection that the device is offered. ‘1’ generally indicates protection against vertically falling drops of water (like rain), whilst an ‘8’ rating protects against the effects of long periods of immersion in water, usually outlined by the manufacturer.
As such, an IP68 rating is the best that be awarded, however it’s important to note that relevant testing is only performed against fresh water. You may experience a vastly different outcome in the face of salt water or other liquids such as spilt drinks.
Whether your device comes with an IP rating or not, we would always exercise caution whilst using your smartphone device or tablet around water.
Are there any other ways to protect the Samsung Galaxy A80 from water?
Despite not coming with a certified IP rating against water and dust, there are a number of ways in which you can help to protect your Samsung Galaxy A80 from water.
The best of these is by purchasing a waterproof case for your device.
The DiCAPac Action Universal case is the perfect example of this and is perfect for wet scenarios; providing all of the protection that you need to be more adventurous with your device in tandem.
As well as coming with the highest JIS IPX8 rating, the front window of the case is crystal clear so that you can easily see the screen of your A80 and use all of the features that you need.
Indeed, you are still able to make full use of the touchscreen whilst it’s in the case and also make calls. The case also protects again dust and other particles, as well as water.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A80 worth it?
Despite not having a certified IP-rating against dust or water, the Samsung Galaxy A80 comes crafted with one of the most innovative designs of 2019 and provides exceptional value-for-money.
The main 48MP camera (f/2.0) captures images with incredible detail, which are bright and clear no matter the time of day in which they are taken. A TOF 3D depth camera lets you adjust the depth of field in images, whilst an 8MP ultra-wide lens completes the setup; with a full 123-degree wide angle for epic panorama shots.
The new 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display maximises screen space, incorporating thin bezels without notches or cut-outs. It even has an under-screen fingerprint sensor so that there aren’t any distractions to the look and feel of the design.
For all of that image snapping, you’re going to need a big battery, and a 3700mAh will get you through with ease. When it is time to rejuice, then the Samsung Galaxy A80 supports 25W Super Fast Charging.
Samsung Galaxy A80 Key Features
- Android 9 (Pie) with One UI
- 7-inch 1080 x 2400 FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display
- Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 processor
- 128GB internal storage / 8GB RAM
- TRIPLE 48MP + 8MP + TOF cameras
- 3,700mAh battery with fast charging
- Bluetooth 5 / GPS / Dual-Band Wi-Fi / NFC
- 2 x 76.5 x 9.3mm