If you've shopped for a smartphone in the last few years, you've likely seen specifications like "IP67" or "IP68" prominently featured in marketing materials. These ratings have become a selling point for many devices, with manufacturers touting their phones as "water-resistant" or even "waterproof."
But what do these ratings actually mean? How water-resistant is your phone really, and why might your warranty still not cover water damage despite these impressive-sounding certifications?
In this article, we'll decode IP ratings, explain what they really tell you about your phone's water resistance, and help you understand the important limitations that manufacturers often don't emphasize in their marketing.
What Is an IP Rating?
IP stands for "Ingress Protection" and is an international standard (IEC 60529) that classifies the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water.
The rating consists of the letters "IP" followed by two digits:
IP[First Digit][Second Digit]
- First digit (0-6): Protection against solid objects (like dust)
- Second digit (0-9): Protection against liquids (like water)
The higher the number, the greater the protection. Let's break down what each digit means in detail.
The First Digit: Dust Protection
While this article focuses primarily on water resistance, understanding the complete IP rating is important. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid foreign objects:
| Level | Protection | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection against contact and ingress of objects |
| 1 | Protection against objects > 50mm | Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm (e.g., hands) |
| 2 | Protection against objects > 12.5mm | Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm (e.g., fingers) |
| 3 | Protection against objects > 2.5mm | Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm (e.g., tools, wires) |
| 4 | Protection against objects > 1mm | Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm (e.g., small wires) |
| 5 | Dust protected | Dust cannot enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with operation |
| 6 | Dust tight | Complete protection against dust (dust tight) |
For modern smartphones, you'll typically see "6" as the first digit, indicating the device is fully dust-tight. This is important not just for preventing dust from damaging components, but also because dust can compromise water seals over time.
The Second Digit: Water Protection
The second digit is what most consumers are interested in when it comes to their phones. This number indicates the level of protection against liquid ingress:
| Level | Protection | Test Method | Real-World Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | None | No water resistance at all |
| 1 | Dripping water | Dripping water for 10 minutes | Can handle light rain or a few drops |
| 2 | Dripping water when tilted | Dripping water for 10 minutes when tilted up to 15° | Can handle rain even while using the phone |
| 3 | Spraying water | Water spraying at angles up to 60° for 5 minutes | Safe in light rain or shower splashes |
| 4 | Splashing water | Water splashing from any direction for 5 minutes | Can handle splashes from any angle |
| 5 | Water jets | Water jets from a 6.3mm nozzle for 3 minutes | Can handle sink splashes or running water |
| 6 | Powerful water jets | Powerful water jets from a 12.5mm nozzle for 3 minutes | Can handle stronger water pressure like a shower |
| 7 | Temporary immersion | Immersion in 1m (3.3ft) of water for 30 minutes | Can survive a drop in shallow water |
| 8 | Continuous immersion | Immersion in water deeper than 1m for extended periods | Can survive deeper/longer submersion (manufacturer specifies) |
| 9K | High-pressure, high-temperature jets | High pressure, high-temperature water jets | Can handle steam and pressure washers (rare in phones) |
For smartphones, the most common ratings you'll see are IP67 and IP68. Let's examine what these specifically mean.
Common Phone IP Ratings Explained
IP67: What It Actually Means
Phones with an IP67 rating have been tested to be:
- Completely dust-tight (6)
- Protected against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes (7)
This means IP67-rated phones should survive an accidental drop in a sink, shallow pool, or toilet, as long as you retrieve them quickly and they don't stay underwater for more than 30 minutes.
Real-world translation: An IP67 phone can handle brief accidental submersion but isn't designed for underwater use. You shouldn't deliberately submerge it, take underwater photos, or expose it to water regularly.
IP68: What It Actually Means
Phones with an IP68 rating have been tested to be:
- Completely dust-tight (6)
- Protected against continuous immersion in water deeper than 1 meter for a duration specified by the manufacturer (8)
This is where things get a bit confusing. The "8" doesn't specify a standard depth or time—manufacturers define their own parameters, which can vary significantly from one device to another.
Important note: IP68 devices are tested at different depths and durations depending on the manufacturer. One company might test at 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, while another might test at 2 meters for 60 minutes. Always check the manufacturer's specific claims.
For example, recent iPhone models with IP68 ratings are tested at different depths:
- iPhone 12/13 Pro: 6 meters for 30 minutes
- iPhone 11 Pro: 4 meters for 30 minutes
- iPhone XS: 2 meters for 30 minutes
Similarly, Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra is rated for 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, despite having the same "IP68" designation.
The Critical Limitations of IP Ratings
Now that we understand what the ratings mean, it's equally important to understand what they don't mean. There are several significant limitations to IP ratings that manufacturers rarely emphasize:
1. Testing Is Done in Controlled Laboratory Conditions
IP tests are conducted in laboratory settings with fresh, still water at room temperature. This doesn't reflect real-world conditions you might encounter:
- Moving water creates more pressure than still water
- Hot water can compromise seals more easily than room temperature water
- Saltwater, chlorinated water, and other liquids (coffee, soda) are more damaging than fresh water
2. Water Resistance Degrades Over Time
Perhaps the most crucial limitation: the water-resistant properties of your phone will deteriorate with age and use.
The rubber gaskets and seals that make your phone water-resistant can degrade due to:
- Normal wear and tear
- Exposure to heat (leaving your phone in a hot car)
- Drops and impacts that can misalign seals
- Battery replacements or repairs that compromise the factory seal
This degradation is why a two-year-old phone with an IP68 rating might not be as water-resistant as it was when new. There's no way to know how much protection you still have, which leads to our next point:
3. Warranties Usually Don't Cover Water Damage
Despite advertising water resistance as a feature, most manufacturers explicitly exclude liquid damage from their warranty coverage. Here's why:
- They can't guarantee the conditions of exposure match their test parameters
- They can't verify if the exposure exceeded rated limits
- Water damage indicators inside phones can't differentiate between "within spec" and "beyond spec" exposure
- They can't verify if the water resistance had already degraded due to age or damage
Always read the fine print in your warranty. Even Apple's warranty for the iPhone 13 Pro (IP68 rated for 6 meters for 30 minutes) explicitly states: "Liquid damage is not covered under warranty."
IP67 vs. IP68: Is There a Significant Difference?
When choosing between phones with different ratings, many consumers wonder if there's a meaningful difference between IP67 and IP68. Let's compare:
IP67
- Dust tight (6)
- Protected against immersion up to 1m for 30 minutes (7)
- Typically less expensive to implement
- Adequate for most everyday accidents
- Clear, standardized testing parameters
IP68
- Dust tight (6)
- Protected against immersion deeper than 1m for manufacturer-specified duration (8)
- Typically found on premium devices
- Potentially offers better protection, but varies by manufacturer
- Testing parameters differ by manufacturer and model
For most users, both ratings provide adequate protection against common water exposure scenarios like rain, spills, and accidental brief dunking. The difference becomes relevant only in specific circumstances like swimming or using your phone in deeper water.
Our recommendation: Don't pay a significant premium just for the difference between IP67 and IP68. Other features like camera quality, processor speed, or battery life will likely impact your daily experience more than this incremental water resistance improvement.
Beyond IP Ratings: Additional Water Protection
Even with a good IP rating, it's wise to take additional precautions to protect your investment:
Water-Resistant Cases
Adding a quality waterproof case can significantly enhance your phone's water resistance, especially for:
- Beach days, swimming, or water sports where exposure is likely
- Older phones whose factory seals may have degraded
- Situations where you need to use your phone near water
Temporary Waterproof Pouches
For occasional water exposure (like a beach trip), waterproof pouches are an affordable alternative to permanent cases. Many allow touchscreen operation while providing IPX8-level protection.
Water Damage Protection Plans
Since manufacturer warranties typically exclude water damage, consider:
- Extended warranty plans that explicitly cover liquid damage
- Phone insurance that includes accidental damage protection
- Credit card extended warranty benefits (some premium cards offer this)
Did Water Get Into Your Speakers Despite IP Protection?
Even IP68-rated phones can get water in their speaker grills. Use our free water ejection tool to clear the water and restore sound quality.
Fix My Speakers NowWhat About "Water Resistant" vs. "Waterproof"?
You may notice some manufacturers use the term "waterproof" while others stick to "water-resistant." This distinction is important:
Water-resistant means the device can resist water penetration to some degree, but not entirely and not under all circumstances.
Waterproof suggests complete protection against water in any situation—a claim that no consumer smartphone can truly make.
Technically, no modern smartphone is truly "waterproof" in the absolute sense. All have limitations in terms of depth, duration, and water type. That's why "water-resistant" is the more accurate term, though marketing departments often prefer the stronger-sounding "waterproof."
Conclusion: Reading Between the Digits
Understanding your phone's IP rating helps you make informed decisions about how to use and protect your device. Here are the key takeaways:
- IP67 and IP68 ratings provide good protection against accidental water exposure but aren't a license for underwater adventures
- Water resistance degrades over time—a 2-year-old phone isn't as resistant as when it was new
- Manufacturers' warranties typically don't cover water damage, regardless of IP rating
- Different types of water (saltwater, chlorinated, hot) can be more damaging than the fresh water used in testing
- Additional protection through cases or pouches is wise for deliberate water exposure
Perhaps most importantly, remember that these ratings represent a phone's capabilities when it left the factory in perfect condition. Daily use, drops, repairs, and age all affect water resistance in ways that can't be easily measured.
Treat your phone's water resistance as a helpful safety net for accidents rather than a feature to be regularly tested. With this approach, you'll get the most value and longevity from your device, regardless of its IP rating.