Tracing the history of IP ratings for water resistance in devices is an interesting story in itself. It dates back to 1976, when the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) decided to standardize electrical devices against water and dust, IP is an acronym for Ingress Protection or sometimes, simply International Protection. The nomenclature for the rating begins with IP, followed by a number between 0 to 6 that represents solids and dust, followed by a second number between 0 and 9 that represents the extent of water resistance. Not surprisingly, the most effective and highest-rated devices today are IP69 certified. Off the shelf, you can pick up IP69 smartphones, power banks, and cameras to dive into the monsoons worry-free.

Smartphone |Oppo Reno 15 5G | Water-resistant and rugged
While a lot of smartphone brands have historically marketed their devices as being water-resistant, their real impact in wet conditions has been questionable. Oppo has differentiated itself by spending time and effort on R&D towards creating truly solid phones that perform in challenging weather conditions and terrains. The Reno 15 5G is a 6.59-inch device that comes with a 50 MP Main, 50 MP Telephoto, and 8 MP Ultra-Wide camera modules, along with a 50 MP Wide-angle front camera. Armed with a 6500 mAh battery and 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, it is tested and certified for IP69 water and dust protection, making it an ideal choice for the outdoors. One of its unique features is its AI Portrait Glow, which intelligently analyses each shot and applies the best lighting in real-time. Whether for night photography, gloomy monsoon evenings or sunny days, the Reno 15 5G brightens your photo to make it more impactful.

Power bank | boAt EnergyShroom PB300 Pro | Pocket-sized monster
Imagine you are out in the wild – trekking, hiking, or just taking a casual walk on the beach. Most likely, you are already carrying a smartphone, and a few other essentials. The last thing you want is to carry another heavy device just in case your primary device runs out of charge. However, you also need your power bank to carry enough juice to recharge your phone fully. boat has answered this challenge by packing in 10,000 mAh of power in a thin and sleek device that is barely the size of your bank card. With in-built short circuit protection, water, shock and dust resistance, the EnergyShroom PB300 Pro reminds one of those Nokia 3300 devices – drop it all you want, it will still run as new!

Bonus tip – in case you want your power bank to look as rugged as your monsoon shoes or that hiking gear, and you do not mind ordering in your device through Amazon or Desertcart, Do not miss the NESTOUT Rugged 15000 mAh power bank. It looks chunky, the form factor is strangely akin to a smaller version of the Milton water bottle, and comes in camouflage colours! The makers specifically promote this power bank for those who enjoy ‘off-the-grid’ and extreme travel.

Professional Camera | OM System Olympus Tough TG-7 | Redefining underwater photography
Water, freeze, dust and shock proof, Ultra HD 4K video, built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, anti-fog lens glass, customized underwater photo modes, multiple macro modes, a high-speed CMOS image sensor – all of this bundled into a single handheld device exclusively for underwater photo and videography. The OM system Olympus Tough TG-7 can work seamlessly under water at -10 degrees temperatures, is shockproof upto 2.1 meters, and comes with 12MP resolution, making it an ideal choice for professional divers and underwater flora and fauna photography enthusiasts. It is one of the few devices that is optimized for deep diving, with its ability to handle high-pressure water flows and challenging underwater terrains. While some of us hate the rains, a lot of us venture out to the unknown – and these devices are the best companions you can have, in your adventurous monsoon travails.