CIt is currently rare in the smartphone world to find a high-end phone that cannot withstand water and dust. Since the next smartphones are likely to have some protection, you must learn about the water and dust IP ratings.
IP stands for “Ingress Protection”. An IP number is used to determine the environmental protection of cabinets near electronic devices. These classifications are determined by specific tests. The IP number consists of two digits. The first number relates to the device dustproof and protection against solid objects and the second to liquids or water resistivity. The higher the number, the better the protection.
Eutech uses the IP classification system to make meter selection easier. Eutech measuring devices such as waterproof pocket testers, waterproof CyberScan laptops, and wall controls from the 2000 series have IP protection classes for additional protection against certain environmental influences. Here are examples of some certificates for products that have officially passed the IP certification test.
But let’s face it, if you spend a lot of money on a device, be it an action camera, a smart sports watch, or a new phone, you need to know that it survives the rain or an accidental trip after the bow of the toilet. You must know your water and dust IP ratings to be able to buy corresponding devices.
With so many different codes, seals, and names for waterproof and dustproof types and certifications, this can be confusing. Let’s explain this complicated water and dust IP ratings for this content. You will be glad you read this content.
What is Water and Dust IP ratings and Certificates?
IP certificates. What does P mean? IP stands for “Ingress Protection”. An IP number is used to determine the environmental protection of cabinets near electronic devices. The IP number consists of two digits; the first relates to protection against solid objects and the second to liquids.
Water and dust IP ratings: what do the letters and numbers mean?
IP classifications generally consist of four characters, and at max 5 characters, it’s very rare though. However, you are unlikely to see them on a phone unless Samsung or Apple makes a phone that is waterproof to high-pressure steam nozzles.
The letter I and P, stand for Ingress Protection, or in other words, how good it is to keep things away. The third digit denotes the number that indicates how well it protects against small solids (dust/sand, etc.) with a maximum rating of 6. This is due to the lack of protection by small screws a little bit of dust or all of the dust.
The last digit is the water or liquid resistance index with a maximum index of 8.
In other words, if you see IP68 anywhere, you know that it has the highest IP rating for dust and water resistance. At least as far as IP certification is concerned.
What does IP67 mean?
There are many combinations for water and dust IP ratings and classification, and this can be confusing. A device with IP67 rating have the same dust resistance as the Samsung Galaxy S20 + with protection class IP68, but can only survive up to 1 meter deep in the water. Nothing more than that, and water could get through protection on the internal components of the device.
Regarding solids, the devices were tested against dust and found to be dustproof. Any device with a “6” as the third character is as dustproof as anything that can be tested and certified on this special scale.
- IP = Ingress protection
- 6 = dust protected
- 7 = survive in water to a depth of 1 m (usually 30 minutes)
This is probably worth mentioning, just because something has IP67 protection and is ideal for a permanent underwater world, it may not be able to be tested for rain or spray.
What is the IP rating for waterproof?
The typical “waterproof” IP classifications for housings are IP67, IP66, and IP65. The meaning of these evaluations and their measurement are listed in the following table. Water that is sprayed against the housing from a 6.3 mm nozzle in any direction has no harmful effects.
In Water and Dust IP ratings, What does IP68 mean?
The 8 at the end means that the phone has been tested to a depth of more than 1 meter and has not been damaged. Though no exact depth is given in the standard tests, you will find that the manufacturers list them. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Note 10+ with IP68 protection can survive up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.
The iPhone 11 Pro also has IP68 protection, which means you are happy with a full dive. According to Apple, it has been tested on a variety of liquids, not just water.
Is IP68 safe for swimming?
In summary, in a water and dust IP ratings, an IP68 degree of protection means that your phone can withstand water and dust. However, the degree to which this is possible is determined by the manufacturer. Check your device’s specifications page on the manufacturer’s website to see what your smartphone can do before swimming with it.
What about IP65, IP53 Or Others?
You often see products with more than one IP rating, and that’s simply because they have been tested for different types of waterproofing. The Sony Xperia Z5, for example, has degrees of protection IP68 and IP65. As already mentioned, the IP68 index means that it can survive immersion. IP65 indicates that it is also suitable for handling the spray.
It is technically tested with water that is sprayed from a 6.3 mm nozzle. In actual use, however, this only means that it can survive rain or showers.
If you find an older device with IP53, it means that it is somewhat protected from dust, but not completely, and that it can live with water jets but not with water jets, and certainly not submerged.
What does IPX7 mean?
The presence of the X in the leaderboard discourages some people, but devices like the first-generation Apple Watch, some Garmin cameras, and portable devices, and even some phones have it. This means that the device has not been certified for dust protection, but not that it is not dustproof.
As with any note with a 7 at the end, this means that Apple Watch Series 1 (as an example) can hold up to half an hour in water to a depth of one meter.
In Water and Dust IP Ratings, What is Better IP65 or 1P67?
IP65 = waterproof. “Protected against water jets from all angles” * DO NOT immerse LED IP65 lamps, they are not waterproof. IP67 = waterproof more. “Protected against temporary immersion (10 minutes)” * DO NOT immerse IP67 LED lamps for a long period, they are not waterproof.
What is nano-coating?
A nano-coating is a film that is sprayed under the microscope onto the internal components so that the water rolls away from everything that can be damaged when it has contact with water.
A lot of companies prefer to build their phones with a water-repellent nano-coating, but do not offer a specific IP protection class. With these devices, like the Moto Z, the phone is likely to handle accidental spillage, light rain, or strange splashes, but it won’t survive when immersed in water, water jets, or heavy rain.
This type of nano-coating has evolved and also offers complete protection against immersion without being dependent on the seals on the body of the phone.
What does IP69 mean?
The IP69 is the IP code for an extremely high level of protection as stated in IEC 60529 – Degrees of protection that is provided by enclosures ( The IP code).
What does ATM mean?
Although some smartwatches have an IP degree of protection, in most cases, you will find water resistance functions that are displayed by ATMs, at least in watches that have been developed for sports or outdoor activities. ATM stands for atmosphere (nothing to do with ATMs) and shows the pressure he can handle. In other words, how deep can you take it underwater?
It is usually reserved for devices that are designed for use underwater. In most cases, 1 ATM is 10 meters, 5 ATMs are 50 meters, and 10 ATMs are 100 meters. For example, on the Apple Watch Series 5, this depth is 50 meters, so you can use it to follow the swim.