Dropping your phone in water used to be a nightmare. But thanks to enhanced durability and waterproofing, modern smartphones often survive accidental dips. Still, one Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra endured far more than just a brief plunge — it survived extreme Arctic condition
Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra Truly Arctic-Ready?
amsung recently highlighted an incredible survival story via its Newsroom. Swedish professional wilderness guide Mikael Krekula was out testing sonar gear on the frozen Kalix River when his Galaxy S23 Ultra slipped from his gloved hand and disappeared into an ice fishing hole. The 2023 flagship sank to a depth of about three meters in the frigid 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 were gone in an instant,” Mikael recalled. “It wasn’t just a phone. It was my essential work partner.” Miraculously, the Galaxy S23 Ultra survived the ordeal, enduring nearly five hours in icy water.
He quickly organized a recovery effort, drilling eight holes around the area to retrieve the device. Using improvised tools — including branches, a shovel, and a plastic bag — he managed to pull the phone back up. After a five-hour ice bath, the Galaxy S23 Ultra powered on as if nothing had happened. For reference, the phone comes with an IP68 rating, which officially protects it in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes, along with full dust resistance.
