Tech Explained

"IP68" appears on almost every flagship phone, smartwatch and pair of earbuds, usually next to the words "water and dust resistant". It sounds reassuring, but few people know what it actually promises, and more importantly, what it does not. The short version: IP68 is the highest rating most phones carry, and it means your device can survive dust, rain, spills and a dunk in a pool. It does not make your phone waterproof, and it will not save it from everything. Here is how to read the rating properly. How to read an IP code IP stands for Ingress Protection. It comes from an international standard, IEC 60529, that grades how well a device's casing keeps things out. The code always has two digits, and each one means something different. The first digit is solids, from dust to fingers, on a scale of 0 to 6. The second digit is liquids, from dripping water to full submersion, on a scale of 0 to 9. Higher is better on both scales. Here is what the levels you will see on phones and gadgets mean. First digit Protection from solids 4 Objects larger than 1mm, such as small wires and screws 5 Dust-protected: some dust may get in, but not enough to cause harm 6 Dust-tight: no dust gets in at all Second digit Protection from water 4 Splashes from any direction 5 Low-pressure jets of water 7 Submersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes 8 Submersion beyond 1 metre, under conditions set by the manufacturer 9 High-pressure, high-temperature water jets You may also see an X in place of a digit, as in IPX7. The X means that part was not tested, not that it scored zero. Earbuds and speakers often skip the dust test and carry only a water rating. What IP68 actually promises Put the two digits together and IP68 means two things. 6: completely dust-tight. Sand, dust and lint cannot get inside the casing. That matters as much as water: a day at the beach or a dusty building site is no threat to the internals. 8: protected against continuous submersion beyond 1 metre. The standard does not fix the exact depth or time. Instead, each manufacturer tests to its own conditions and publishes them. Most phones are rated for about 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, and some recent flagships claim far deeper. That second point is why two IP68 phones are not always equal. Always check the fine print on the spec sheet for the depth and duration. In everyday terms, an IP68 phone should shrug off rain, a spilled drink, a drop in the sink or the toilet, and a quick, still-water dip in a pool. What IP68 does not cover The tests behind IP68 are done in a lab, with still, clean fresh water and a brand-new device. Real life is messier, which is why manufacturers say "water-resistant" and never "waterproof". Salt water and pool water. Salt and chlorine are corrosive and can attack seals, speaker grilles and charging ports over time. Pressure and movement. Diving, swimming laps, jumping into a pool or holding a phone under a running tap all push water harder than a still-water test. Hot water and steam. Heat makes seals expand and lets vapour creep in, so showers, saunas and hot baths are risky. Soap, oils and drinks. Detergents, sunscreen, beer and fizzy drinks can weaken the seals' coatings. Age and accidents. Seals wear out over the years, and a drop can open hairline gaps you cannot see. A screen or battery repair can also break the factory seal. The biggest catch: most manufacturers do not cover liquid damage under warranty, even on an IP68 phone. Treat the rating as a safety net for accidents, not permission to take your phone swimming. IP68 against the other ratings you'll see Not every device needs IP68, and budget phones often carry a lower rating. Here is how the common ones compare. Rating Dust Water What it survives Typically found on IP54 Dust-protected Splashes Light rain and splashes Older and entry-level phones IP64 Dust-tight Splashes Rain and spills, but not a dunk Budget phones such as the Galaxy A08 and A18 IP67 Dust-tight Up to 1m for 30 minutes A short drop into shallow water Mid-range phones, smartwatches, earbuds IP68 Dust-tight Beyond 1m, as the maker specifies Deeper, longer submersion Flagship and upper mid-range phones IP69 Dust-tight High-pressure, hot water jets Hosing down and hot spray Rugged phones and a few recent flagships Note that the water scale is not a simple ladder. IP69 tests for jets of hot, high-pressure water, not deeper submersion, so a phone rated IP68 and IP69 has passed two different tests. Rugged phones often list both. How to keep a water-resistant phone protected Rinse after salt or chlorine. If your phone has been in the sea or a pool, rinse it gently under clean, still tap water, then dry it. Dry the port before charging. Shake out the USB-C port and let it air-dry. Many phones show a moisture warning and block wired charging until the port is dry, so wait for it to clear or use a wireless charger in the meantime. Skip the rice. Air-drying in a ventilated spot works better. Rice dust can end up inside the port. Keep it out of the shower and sauna. Heat and steam are what IP68 is weakest against. Be careful after a repair or a hard drop. Ask the repairer whether the seal was replaced, and assume the protection is reduced after a serious impact. Use a waterproof pouch for real water time. For swimming, snorkelling or boat trips, a sealed pouch is cheaper than a new phone. The bottom line IP68 means your device is completely sealed against dust and can survive being submerged in fresh water beyond a metre deep, for as long as its maker specifies. It is excellent protection against everyday accidents like rain, spills and drops into the sink. It is not a licence to swim, shower or dive with your phone, and liquid damage is rarely covered by warranty. Read the rating as peace of mind, check the manufacturer's depth and time, and your phone will be far better protected than one without it. Please note: Technomobi is a reseller of products. IP ratings and other specifications are listed exactly as our suppliers and manufacturers provide them to us, and we cannot independently test or verify them. Technomobi does not take responsibility if this information is incorrect. Please check the manufacturer's official specifications and warranty terms before exposing any device to water or dust.