Galaxy S23 Ultra Survives Hours Under a Frozen River Without a Single Glitch

Samsung has recently shared a story highlighting the durability and water resistance of its flagship smartphones. A Galaxy S23 Ultra accidentally spent hours submerged in a freezing Arctic river but emerged just fine, without a single glitch. Basically, the Korean firm wants to tell the consumers that its Galaxy S series not only offers great performance and camera technology, but also has a strong build quality.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra proves its durability

While testing sonar equipment on the frozen Kalix River, Mikael Krekula, a professional wilderness guide, accidentally dropped his Galaxy S23 Ultra from his glove into an ice fishing hole. The device sank about three meters under the icy water. “At that moment, I felt like I had donated my entire digital life to the river — photos, ID, credit cards and all my apps gone in an instant,” Mikael said. “It wasn’t just a phone to me. It was my work companion, essential in everything I do.”

Even though the conditions were extreme, Mikael decided to recover the phone. He had to drill eight surrounding ice holes using tools like birch branches and a shovel to get a clear angle to the phone. After a couple of hours of drilling, he finally recovered the phone. Surprisingly, the Galaxy S23 Ultra was still on and functional, displaying three missed calls. He did not even need to reboot or dry the phone.

Exceeded rated conditions

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has an IP68 rating, meaning it can stay underwater in fresh water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. On top of that, the device offers protection against dust, dirt, and sand. However, in Mikael’s case, the device went beyond these rated conditions, showing how strong Samsung’s flagship phones really are.

Apart from durability, Mikael also talked about how the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers great night photography. “When you’re guiding guests under the northern lights or across frozen terrain, your tech can’t fail,” he said. “The Galaxy S23 Ultra also delivers outstanding night photography, which is essential for capturing this region’s unique light conditions.”

If you are looking for a smartphone designed for both durability and top performance, the current flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra could be a solid choice. The phone features a titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on the front, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, a 200 MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and more.