Smartphone IP ratings explained: What are IP68 and IP69, and are they waterproof?
Many smartphones, be it mid-rangers, flagships, or sometimes even entry-level ones, sport an IP rating, or Ingress Protection Rating for durability. We have seen smartphones support dual IP ratings or single IP ratings, and each time the number could be different. A smartphone might support IP68, while another may support a dual IP rating of IP68 + IP69.
Now, as a general consumer, it might be confusing as to what these numbers mean in real life. It is not really hard to understand. These numbers denote different levels of protection in different ratings. What you need to understand before getting started is that the first digit of this number denotes protection against dust, and the second digit denotes protection against water.
When a smartphone features a combination of two different ratings, that means it is protected against the different types of ingress that particular rating allows for. So here, without much further ado, let us understand different types of popular smartphone IP ratings.
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If a smartphone has an IP68 rating, this means that the device is dust-sealed and can be submerged in water for long periods, often beyond 1 metre in depth, under conditions specified by the manufacturer. This makes a smartphone suitable for accidental submersion in freshwater bodies like a lake or river, but, of course, it cannot be too deep, or this protection will not apply.
If a smartphone has an IP69 rating, this allows for dust sealing as well as the ability to withstand high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. This allows for endurance during extreme conditions, such as very harsh environments and industrial cleaning processes.
If your smartphone has an IP rating that starts with 'X' (eg, IPX8), this means it has not been officially rated for dust resistance. The subsequent digit for water resistance still applies. So, if a phone has an IPX8 rating, that means your phone will function even after being submerged in freshwater for up to 30 minutes, under specific conditions.
It goes without saying, but even if your phone has the best IP rating and you're ready to submerge it in a pool, if for some reason it gets water-damaged, your smartphone company won't repair it under warranty. The key word here is 'water-resistant', not waterproof. So, if they detect water damage, your phone's warranty will be void.
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