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Understanding IP67, IP68, and IPX8: What Smartphone Users Need to Know

We all know how important water resistance can be for a phone when it has its first rough encounter with water. And with the arrival of rainy weather, it’s good to know that water resistance (IP certifications) was a few years ago, reserved for rugged smartphones, but is now present in almost all phones, to different levels, including the latest tops range, and even in some equipment and mid-range.

That said, not all smartphones handle water the same. If you’ve recently bought a phone, you’ve probably seen the terms water resistance, and the abbreviations IP67, IP68 or even IPX8 may (or may not) be present. But what do they mean? And how water resistant is your new device?

The letters IP, from IP certifications, are the abbreviation of Protection Ratings (or International Protection Ratings), it is a standard defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission. According to the organization, these codes were established as “a system of classification of the levels of protection offered by the enclosures of electrical equipment”.

The first number represents the degree of protection against ingress of solid foreign objects such as dust. These protection levels vary between 0 and 6. The second number represents the degree of protection against the ingress of moisture, or liquid, with levels ranging from 0 to 8.

Sometimes you will see an IP level with one of the digits replaced with an X, such as IPX8 certifications. In this specific case, the company did not provide details of the tests. The level of protection is therefore officially unknown, hence the X. A device with IPX8 certification can therefore function normally after immersion in water, but has not been officially tested against the penetration of foreign bodies such as dust or sand.

For example, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is IP68 certified, which means it is protected from dust and can withstand immersion. The Galasy S21 Ultra is also IP68 certified. So they must be similarly water resistant, right?

IP certifications

To earn an 8 on this rating, the IEC requires the device to withstand being submerged in 1 meter of water for at least 30 minutes. Furthermore, it is at the sole discretion of the manufacturer. The S21 Ultra can be submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes while, according to Apple, the iPhone 12 Pro Max remains perfectly safe up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes. That is, it is enough to reach the minimum to obtain an 8, but some go beyond that. As such, it is advisable to check the technical characteristics of the equipment.

But can I go swimming with my smartphones with IP certifications?

Apple boasts that its iPhone 12 Pro Max can be submerged up to 6 meters deep. So you can put on your bathing suit and go for a swim, but it’s better not to do that with your phone. IP certifications are awarded in a perfectly controlled environment, in perfectly calm waters. Moving the phone in water will increase the water pressure, increasing the chances of water entering the device and therefore causing irreparable damage.

The tests for IP certifications are also carried out with almost pure water. Most pools add various chemicals to the water, such as chlorine, which can affect the resistance of your phone. And whatever the situation, you should keep your device away from sea water: salt water can cause a lot of damage, including degrading the metal parts present in the charging port.

Even if your phone is IP68 certified, it’s fashionable to only consider this feature as protection when needed. Your phone is not designed to accompany you on dives, do not try to use your camera to take pictures of beautiful fish. Also, don’t try to make TikTok clips diving x meters. This water resistance is there for when you spill a drink, or take a call in pouring rain.

My smartphone is not IP certified. Can it be damaged by water?

For a company to be able to promote its devices with IP certifications, it must perform a series of very rigorous tests. These tests take time, and come at a significant cost. So it’s understandable that some manufacturers just don’t want to spend money on it, let alone entry-level models.

Some phones, like the Moto G50, use terms like water resistant without official IP certification. These devices can use a variety of methods to keep moisture away from the inside of the chassis. While these smartphones can survive an accidental shower, it’s best to avoid submerging them. But you shouldn’t have any problems answering a call in the rain.

If your phone doesn’t mention anything about an IP certification, or any resistance, assume it’s not resistant, and do what you can to avoid the slightest contact with liquids.

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