Water-Resistance Ratings Explained: What IP68 Really Means

What "IP68" actually stands for

IP stands for Ingress Protection. It's a rating system from an international standard (IEC 60529) that describes how well an enclosure keeps out solids and liquids. The two digits after "IP" are separate scores:

• The first digit (solids) runs from 0 to 6. A 6 means the device is dust-tight: no dust gets in under test conditions.
• The second digit (liquids) runs up to 8 for immersion, with 9 for high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. An 8 means the device survived continuous immersion beyond 1 metre, under conditions set by the manufacturer.

An X in place of a digit, as in IPX4, simply means that part wasn't tested. It doesn't mean zero protection, just no rating.

Common ratings you'll see on phones and accessories

Because IP68 lets the manufacturer set the test conditions, two phones with the same IP68 label aren't necessarily equal. Depending on the model, current flagship phones are rated anywhere from about 1.5 metres to 6 metres, typically for up to half an hour. Check your own model's specifications to see what it was actually tested for.

Tested in a lab, not in real life

The key detail most people miss: IP ratings are tested in fresh, still water, at controlled temperatures, on brand-new devices. Real life is different:

• Salt water from the ocean is corrosive and leaves residue behind as it dries.
• Pool water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can affect seals and leave deposits.
• Moving water, like waves, a tap at full blast, a waterslide or a jump into a pool, creates pressure the test doesn't account for.
• Hot water and steam from showers, hot tubs and saunas can affect adhesives and seals and push moisture in.
• Soap, shampoo, sunscreen, coffee and drinks behave differently from plain water and can get past seals more easily.

Manufacturers say this themselves: they describe phones as water-resistant, not waterproof, and their support pages advise against swimming, showering or using phones in saunas. Liquid damage is typically not covered by the manufacturer, even on an IP68 phone.

Water resistance fades over time

A phone's water resistance comes from gaskets, seals and adhesive around the screen, back and buttons. Those materials aren't permanent. Over time, everyday life wears them down:

• Age and heat: adhesive softens and seals harden with years of use and temperature changes, including hot cars in summer.
• Drops: even a drop that doesn't crack anything can flex the frame enough to loosen a seal.
• Cracks: a cracked screen or back glass is an open path for water, no matter what the rating says.
• Swollen batteries: a battery that's expanding pushes the screen or back outward, breaking the seal.
• Port wear: grit and lint in the charging port can trap moisture.

What happens to water resistance after a repair

Most phone repairs, like screen, battery and back glass replacements, require separating parts that were sealed at the factory. A careful technician cleans off the old adhesive and applies new seals, which helps. But it isn't possible to recreate factory conditions or re-run the original tests, so you should treat any phone that has been opened, by anyone, as less water-resistant than it was new. The same goes for a phone that's simply a few years old.

A practical checklist for living with an IP68 phone

1. Treat the rating as protection against accidents, like rain or a quick drop in the sink, not as permission to swim with it.
2. If it gets salt water, pool water or a sugary drink on it, rinse gently with a little fresh water, then dry it.
3. Don't charge a phone while the port is wet. Many phones will warn you if they detect moisture in the port.
4. Never use heat, compressed air or rice to dry a phone. Read why in our article on the rice myth.
5. After any drop, check for cracks or lifting glass before getting the phone wet again.
6. Use a dedicated waterproof pouch for beach days, boating or water photos.

Our water damage guide walks through exactly what to do if your phone does take a dip.

When to call a technician

If your phone has been in water and is acting strangely, with fogging behind the camera, speakers sounding muffled, charging warnings that won't clear, or random restarts, power it off and get it checked soon. A certified woman technician can come to your home, workplace or parked car and give you a free quote before any work starts. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, any time, or request a visit online. See water damage repair and the areas we serve.

Frequently asked questions

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