How Water Resistance Ratings (IP67, IP68) Really Work in Phones

Smartphones are no longer just phones and messaging devices. They’re cameras, they’re gaming consoles, they’re GPS devices, and an extra limb. Since they are all those things, people carry them everywhere: the gym, outside during the rain, to the beach, or even to the bathroom. Accidents, after all, do occur—phones land in sinks, get left out in rain showers, or receive an unexpected splash into swimming pools. To address these risks, manufacturers design modern phones with water resistance. The most common indicators of this are ratings like IP67 or IP68, which you’ll often see in product descriptions.

But what do these ratings in fact represent? Also, how much protection do they really provide? We will go over the science, the testing that goes into it, and also the limitations behind those numbers which we see on the box.

What “IP” Really Stands For

The ratings we see, like IP67 or IP68, come from a standard put forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission. “IP” is an abbreviation for Ingress Protection, and the two numbers that follow indicate how well a device does against two elements:

1. Dust and particles.
2. Fluid and other liquids.

The first digit in this system is a measure of how well the device does against dust. The second is a report on water resistance. So if you see IP67 or IP68, you are seeing a shorthand for which these have been tested and proven under certain conditions in the lab.

Dust Resistance (The First Number)

For today’s smartphones, which have the greatest number of users, the leading digit is a 6. This is the best score in this category, which means the device is fully protected from dust, dirt, and very fine particles. Also, it is important to note that even if water does not get in, fine dust can cause long-term damage to circuit boards as well as moving components like the buttons.

At the job site or by the seaside, what we do know is that the “6” has improved our phone’s ability to keep out harmful dust.

Water Resistance (The Second Number)

Here is what gets interesting. The second digit, which is usually a 7 or 8 for phones, tells how well the device does against water.

• 7 (IP67): Protection against water entry at 1 meter (which is about 3.3 feet) for 30 minutes.
• 8 (IP68): Protection from immersion over 1 meter, which extends to 1.5–2 meters (5–6.6 feet) for a duration of 30 minutes. Some companies do go beyond this to greater depths, but the base for “8” is any immersion deeper than 1 meter.

That’s all we can say about the rating; you cannot take it to mean that your phone is “waterproof,” nor that it is appropriate for deep sea use. What that rating tells you is that the phone did well in controlled tests, which of course included water, but in very specific conditions.

How Manufacturers Test Phones

Phones go through rigorous laboratory tests to get these results. As for water resistance, we put the phone in a tank at the specified depth and time, and then we check it out for any damage or leaks.

For example:

An IP67 phone is submerged in 1 meter of still fresh water for 30 minutes. Should the screen still work and no water enter the phone, it passes.

An IP68 phone is put in water which sometimes goes as deep as 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Some brands do better and advertise resistance at 4 or even 6 meters, which is beyond the standard.

The tests are done in clean water, with no pressure changes and no movement. In reality, this is rare.

Why Real-World Water Is Different

While we have IP ratings which are useful, they don’t cover all scenarios. In fact, real water performance is much greater in severity than what we see in lab tests.

• Saltwater: The sea is home to salt, minerals, and micro life. What may be a little-known fact is that salt is a corrosive agent which, although water may not go in immediately, over time will damage seals and connections.
• Soapy water: Washing your phone in soap or in a bath of bubbles doesn’t compare to clean water. Soap lowers surface tension, which in turn causes the liquid to enter small spaces.
• High pressure: When you jump into a pool or a wave crashes onto your phone, it puts out great pressure beyond that of still water in a tank. That force can push liquid past seals.
• Temperature changes: In hot and cold environments, phones’ components expand and contract, which in turn stresses the waterproof seals.

This is the reason that manufacturers still tell customers to stay away from putting your phone in water, even if they market IP68. Phone design is for accident protection, not for everyday use in the water.

How Phones Stay Water-Resistant

Waterproofing isn’t magic—it is a result of careful engineering. We see in design a few tricks which are used to keep out water:

1. Rubber gaskets and seals: Tiny rubber or silicone o-rings that go around buttons, charging ports, and SIM card trays to prevent water entry.
2. Adhesive layers: Special adhesive which is used to seal the phone’s body almost like a waterproof tape.
3. Mesh covers: Manufacturers put on special water-resistant membranes which cover speakers and microphones but which allow sound to pass through and not water.
4. Nano-coatings: Some phones have included hydrophobic (water-repelling) coatings on internal components which in turn means that should some water get in, it doesn’t cause immediate damage.

These issues are presented as a set which in turn present a barrier to most accidental splashes and short submersions.

IP67 vs. IP68: What Do We See in Practice?

Both are high quality, but IP68 is the better option in my view. To compare:

• IP67 phones: Safe from heavy rain, spills, or a quick spill in the sink. If you put it in a shallow puddle and pick it up fast, you should be fine.
• IP68 phones: In deep water accidents, such as falling into a pool, they perform better. They are designed for a little more challenging conditions.

In fact, in real life we see that the difference isn’t always great. For the most part, people aren’t leaving their phones in 2-meter-deep pools. What we do see is that both ratings do a good job at preventing common accidents.

Why Phones Aren’t Called “Waterproof”

Companies don’t report that their phones are waterproof. That’s because all seals fail over time. With use, things like dropping your phone, putting it in your pocket, which may cause it to bend slightly, or simply aging will break down those watertight barriers. A phone which passed IP68 at the time of release may not pass it again at the end of 2 years.

By staying away from the term “waterproof,” manufacturers protect themselves legally and also get users to think twice.

Common Misconceptions

Many people do not know what is meant by the IP ratings. Here are some common myths which I will dispel:

Myth 1: IP68 means I can take my phone in the pool daily.

Wrong. The rating is for accidental exposure, not for extended time in the water.

Myth 2: My phone is IP68, which means I can leave it in saltwater.

That is also incorrect. Saltwater is corrosive and out of the test’s scope.

Myth 3: The rating is for all types of liquid.

It does not. The test is performed only in fresh water, not in soda, juice, beer, or soapy water, which may cause damage and leave deposits.

Myth 4: The rating is permanent.

Seals wear out over time. As a new phone, the water resistance is at its best.

Real-World Examples

• Drop your IP67 phone in the sink while doing the dishes? No issue, just wipe it down.
• Spill coffee on your IP68 phone? The water resistance may prevent the phone from failing immediately, but the sugar and organic acids in that coffee will still end up damaging your device over time.
• Take your IP68 phone for a swim in the ocean? It may survive the first time, but salt will get to the seals the second time around, leaving you with a damaged phone.

These examples put into play that IP ratings are safety nets which also serve as a red herring.

How to Care for Your Waterproof Phone

If you want your phone to be water-resistant as long as possible, a little care is what you should put in.

1. Avoid unnecessary exposure to water. Though your phone may be IP68 rated, do not use it as a waterproof camera.
2. Rinse out well if you get salt or chlorine on you. Use fresh water to gently wash off residues, then dry completely.
3. Keep the SIM door and charging port covered. See to it that the doors are fully shut; also, do not plug in your charger until the port is dry.
4. Use protective cases that absorb shock and which in turn may prevent the development of tiny cracks and in this way also protect seals.
5. As a rule of thumb, the older your phone, the more that changes with respect to water resistance.

The Bigger Picture

The push for more durable smartphones has changed that. A decade ago a little rain would have sent us to the repairman. Today we jump in a storm, spill our drinks on them, put them in the sink—no sweat.

Also, these ratings are a form of insurance against accidents; we aren’t to use them as an invitation for underwater adventures. They are the result of care in design, but like all technology, they have limitations.

Conclusion

Water resistance ratings such as IP67 and IP68 are not marketing gimmicks; they are in fact official standards which tell you how much protection your phone has against dust and water. A “6” for dust means full protection from particles. A “7” or “8” for water means protection against short accidental submersion which has been tested in a lab.

The foundation of what we get from these ratings is to know their limitations. They do not include saltwater, soapy water, or high pressure, and also they are not permanent. Instead, they provide protection against day-to-day incidents.

It’s for when you have spills and drops, not for deep water excursions. Use it right and it will last you.