Is the Galaxy A10e waterproof? No, but here's your cheapest option

What's the cheapest Galaxy phone in the USA to have an IP rating?

If you're looking to buy a waterproof or water resistant Galaxy phone, unfortunately, you won't be able to do that with the same budget you might've reserved for a Galaxy A10e or similar Galaxy A device.

At the time of writing, the cheapest waterproof/water resistant Galaxy phone you can buy unlocked in the USA is the Galaxy S9+. It's listed along a price tag of $449 after an ongoing discount but it is not available for online ordering, so you'd have to go to a nearby store. It has an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive immersed in water at depths of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Regardless, $449 represents quite a bump in costs from the Galaxy A10e's $179.99 price, so you'll have to decide for yourself whether the IP-rating is worth the trouble. You'll also have to accept the fact that although the Galaxy S9+ is better-equipped, it lacks the same level of software support as newer phones. It got two Android OS updates (up to Android 10) and it won't receive any additional support, sans security patches and possibly One UI 2.1 this summer.

• Check Galaxy S9+ availability at Samsung USA

Why do cost-conscious Galaxy phones lack an IP rating?

The answer is contained within the question itself, and it all boils down to cost. Making a phone such as the Galaxy A10e waterproof or water resistant increases production costs for a couple of reasons. First, there's the R&D element, i.e., the extra work that needs to be put in designing an IP-rated phone.

Second, there are the building materials. Usually, an IP-rated Galaxy phone achieves waterproofing/water resistance through adhesives, rubber seals etc. Fitting these components on a device like the Galaxy A10e to make it waterproof/water resistant would lead to higher production costs and a higher launch price. And although the materials themselves might not cost much on paper, fitting those materials on the production line can have a bigger impact to the bottom line.

Likewise, repair fees for a waterproof / water resistant device can also be higher. A waterproof / water resistant design can go against the philosophy of a device that truly strive to be affordable in all respects.

Creating a budget phone is a balancing act. There are a lot of corners that need to be cut in order to lower production costs, and from the OEM's perspective, the key is to offer a sense of value for money.

In the end, some features that upper-mid-range and flagship phone owners take for granted don't make the cut in the manufacturing of a budget device like the Galaxy A10e, or even the Galaxy A20 – both of which are extremely successful in the USA in terms of sales numbers, despite their lack of an IP rating.