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An IP rating tells you how well a phone’s enclosure resists dust and water under defined laboratory tests. It does not mean the phone is permanently waterproof, safe for swimming, or protected from every kind of liquid exposure.
For most current phones, the useful comparison is between IP67, IP68, and IP69. The first two are mainly associated with immersion. IP69 addresses high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. A phone marked IP68/IP69 has been tested for both types of exposure; IP69 does not replace IP68.
What does an IP rating mean?
IP means Ingress Protection. The rating is defined by IEC 60529, adopted in the United States as ANSI/IEC 60529-2020. It describes protection against solids and water entering an enclosure.
An IP code normally has two numbers:
- First digit: protection against solid particles, including dust.
- Second digit: protection against water.
For example, in IP68, the “6” is the dust rating and the “8” is the water rating. An X means that position is not rated or is not stated. Thus, IPX8 indicates a water test without claiming a dust rating.
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IP67 vs. IP68 vs. IP69
| Rating | Dust protection | Water test | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP67 | 6: dust-tight | 7: temporary immersion under specified conditions | Designed to survive the applicable short-term immersion test. Many phones specify up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. |
| IP68 | 6: dust-tight | 8: continuous immersion under manufacturer-specified conditions | Usually a stronger or longer immersion claim than IP67, but the exact depth and time vary by phone. |
| IP69 | 6: dust-tight | 9: high-pressure, high-temperature water jets | Designed for forceful hot-water spray. It is not automatically an immersion rating. |
The ratings are not a simple scale in which IP69 is always “better” than IP68. They cover different water tests. IP68 is relevant when a phone is submerged; IP69 is relevant when water strikes the phone as a powerful, hot spray.
What the first IP digit means
Phone ratings usually begin with a 6 because 6 is the highest solid-particle protection level. It means the enclosure is dust-tight under the applicable test.
That does not guarantee that dust can never enter a damaged phone. A cracked screen, bent frame, loose back panel, or later repair can compromise the enclosure even if the phone originally passed its IP test.
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What IP67 means on a phone
IP67 means the phone is dust-tight and has passed the IPX7 temporary-immersion test under the conditions specified for that product. Phone manufacturers commonly describe IP67 as protection against immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, but you should check the phone’s own specifications.
IP67 does not automatically certify protection against:
- Shower spray or a high-pressure faucet
- Water jets or pressure washers
- High-temperature water
- Steam or sauna conditions
- Longer or deeper submersion than the manufacturer states
IPX7 and the jet tests IPX5, IPX6, and IPX9 are separate categories. Passing an immersion test does not automatically prove that the phone can withstand those jet tests.
What IP68 means on a phone
IP68 means the phone is dust-tight and has passed an IPX8 continuous-immersion test. The important detail is that IP68 does not specify one universal depth or duration.
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Under IEC 60529, the manufacturer publishes the conditions used for its IPX8 test. One model might be rated for 1.5 meters, another for 2 meters, and another for a different depth or duration. Do not assume that every IP68 phone is rated for 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
For example, Apple’s U.S. specifications for the iPhone 17 list IP68 protection to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. Other iPhone generations have different published limits. Google’s Pixel specifications describe current devices as designed to comply with IP68 under IEC 60529 when they leave the factory, while warning that resistance can decline through wear, damage, repair, or disassembly.
IP68 also does not automatically include IPX5, IPX6, or IPX9 protection. If a manufacturer wants to claim both immersion and high-pressure-jet protection, the phone should list both relevant ratings.
What IP69 adds
IP69 tests protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. The IPX9 test uses hot water—published test references describe water at approximately 80°C—sprayed from multiple angles. A phone with IP69 is therefore better suited to forceful spray than a phone whose only water claim is IP67 or IP68.
IP69 can be useful for people who work around intense spray, industrial cleaning, or heavy rain-like water impact. It does not mean the phone is safe for:
- Deep-water diving
- Boiling-water immersion
- Steam rooms or saunas
- Every shower or pressure washer
- Salt water, chlorinated water, soap, or chemical solutions
IP69 is also not the same as IP69K. IP69 is an IEC 60529 rating. IP69K is associated with ISO 20653 and is commonly seen in automotive and rugged-equipment specifications. Treat the “K” as a different standards designation, not simply as a higher phone rating.
Does IP68 include IP69?
No. IP68 covers an immersion test, while IP69 covers high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. A phone must have both markings—or an explicit manufacturer statement covering both tests—to claim both protections.
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The same principle applies in the other direction: IP69 does not automatically mean the phone passed IP67 or IP68 immersion testing. For example, a product listed as IP68/IP69 has both kinds of protection. A product listed only as IP69 has not automatically established an immersion rating.
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Current U.S. phone examples
| Phone or series | Published rating | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 17 series | IP68 | Apple publishes model-specific depth and time limits. |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 series | IP68 | The rating does not automatically include IP69 jet testing. |
| Google Pixel phones | IP68 | Google warns that water resistance is not permanent and can decline with wear or damage. |
| Motorola edge (2026) | IP68 and IP69 | The two ratings cover immersion and high-pressure water jets respectively. |
| Motorola moto g stylus (2026) | IP68 and IP69 | Motorola lists both underwater and jet-related protection. |
| OnePlus 13 | IP69 and IP68 | Published IPX9 conditions include approximately 80°C water, 15 L/min flow, four spray angles, and 30 seconds per angle. |
These examples show why the complete specification matters. “IP68 phone” is not a complete description of the actual water limit, and “IP69 phone” does not necessarily describe immersion protection.
Why an IP-rated phone can still suffer water damage
1. The phone was dropped or cracked
IP testing applies to a device in its tested condition. A hard impact can damage the frame, screen adhesive, buttons, seals, or rear cover without making the damage immediately obvious. A cracked or previously repaired phone may no longer provide the same protection.
2. Pressure is different from immersion
Water sitting around a submerged phone is not the same as water striking it from a shower nozzle or pressure washer. Forceful spray can exploit gaps that a still-water immersion test does not reproduce. IP68 alone is not a license to clean a phone with a high-pressure jet.
3. Heat and steam change the risk
IP69’s hot-water jet test should not be interpreted as approval for steam rooms, saunas, or boiling water. Steam, heat, and condensation can create conditions different from the rating test and may affect adhesives, seals, and internal components.
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4. Liquids contain chemicals
Pool chlorine, salt water, soap, detergent, sunscreen, acids, solvents, and other chemicals are not equivalent to clean laboratory water. Manufacturers commonly advise avoiding these substances even when the phone has IP68 or IP69 protection.
5. Water resistance decreases over time
Manufacturers describe IP protection as a characteristic of a new device under test conditions, not a permanent guarantee. Wear, repeated impacts, aging seals, repairs, disassembly, and enclosure distortion can reduce resistance.
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6. A wet charging port is dangerous
Do not connect a cable while the charging port is wet. For an exposed iPhone, Apple advises waiting at least five hours before wired charging or connecting an accessory, and says not to use external heat or insert objects into the connector. Follow the specific instructions for your phone rather than forcing the port dry with a tool.
7. The touchscreen may not respond
Water on the display can cause missed or unintended touches. Samsung warns that a wet touchscreen may not be active or responsive normally. Wipe the screen and your hands dry before assuming the phone has stopped working.
What to do if your phone gets wet
- Remove it from the liquid and disconnect any cable or accessory.
- Turn it off if the phone is behaving abnormally or the manufacturer recommends doing so.
- Wipe the exterior with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Keep the charging port facing downward so liquid can drain naturally.
- Allow it to dry fully in a ventilated area. Do not use a hair dryer, heater, compressed air, cotton swab, or other object inside the port.
- Do not charge by cable until the port and phone are completely dry.
- Rinse only when the manufacturer says to and only as directed. Salt water, pool water, soap, and chemicals require particular caution.
If the phone was submerged beyond its stated limit, exposed to a pressure washer, dropped while wet, or continues to show charging, speaker, display, or camera problems, arrange a professional inspection. Water-ingress damage is commonly excluded from standard warranties, including Apple and Google warranty policies.
Which rating should you choose?
| Your priority | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Protection from dust and accidental spills | IP67 may be sufficient, provided the phone’s limitations are acceptable. |
| Greater protection against accidental submersion | IP68, then check the exact depth and duration for the model. |
| Frequent exposure to forceful spray | Look for IP69, preferably alongside IP68 if immersion protection also matters. |
| Swimming, diving, or intentional underwater filming | Do not rely on an IP rating alone. Use equipment specifically designed and approved for that activity. |
For ordinary phone buying, IP68 is usually the more relevant upgrade over IP67 because accidental drops into water are common. IP69 is valuable when the phone’s environment involves strong spray, but it should not be used to infer a deeper or longer immersion rating.
FAQ
Is IP68 waterproof?
No. IP68 means the phone passed a manufacturer-specified continuous-immersion test. It is water-resistant under defined conditions, not permanently waterproof. Resistance can decline after drops, cracks, repairs, disassembly, and normal wear.
Can I take an IP68 phone into the shower or pool?
You should not assume that it is safe. Showers add water pressure, while pools add chlorine and intentional submersion. Manufacturers such as Apple and Google advise against showers, pools, baths, saunas, and other similar exposure despite IP ratings.
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Neither is universally better. IP68 covers immersion, with depth and duration set by the manufacturer. IP69 covers high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. A phone needs both ratings to claim both types of protection.
What should I do before charging a wet phone?
Disconnect the cable, wipe the phone, and let the charging port dry completely. Do not use external heat or insert objects into the port. Apple advises waiting at least five hours before wired charging after liquid exposure; follow your manufacturer’s instructions.
The Bottom Line
IP67 covers temporary immersion, IP68 covers manufacturer-specified continuous immersion, and IP69 covers high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. IP68 does not automatically include IP69, and IP69 does not automatically include immersion protection. Check the exact model’s depth and time limits, keep damaged phones away from water, and treat the rating as test-based water resistance—not a warranty-backed promise that every liquid situation is safe.
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