Water Damage
What Do IP67 and IP68 Ratings Actually Mean?
What Do IP67 and IP68 Ratings Actually Mean?
IP67 and IP68 are lab-tested ratings for dust and water resistance under specific, limited conditions — IP67 means protection from dust and short-term immersion up to about 1 meter, while IP68 covers deeper and often longer immersion as defined by the manufacturer. Neither means a phone is fully waterproof or immune to speaker muffling from everyday splashes, since real-world exposure rarely matches the exact lab test conditions.
A water-resistance rating doesn't stop water from sitting on the grille — run the water eject tool if sound sounds off.
Muffled after a splash anyway? →How to actually read the rating
The IP code has two digits: the first covers protection from solid particles like dust, on a scale up to 6, and the second covers protection from water, on a scale up to 9. IP68 means the maximum dust rating plus a high-end water rating — immersion beyond 1 meter, with the exact depth and duration set by the individual manufacturer, not a single universal number.
That detail matters: two different phones can both say "IP68" while being tested to different depths and durations, since the standard defines a minimum test, not a fixed maximum.
What the rating tests for, and what it doesn't
These ratings come from controlled lab conditions — typically still, fresh water, at a specific temperature, for a specific time. Real-world situations often differ: moving water, water under pressure, saltwater, or exposure at the edge of the phone's temperature range aren't necessarily covered by the same guarantee.
This is why a phone can be rated IP68 and still end up with a muffled speaker after a splash or shower — surface water sitting on the grille briefly is common even on well-sealed phones, since the rating is about preventing internal damage, not about keeping every surface completely dry at all times.
Why the rating can fade over time
Water resistance often relies on seals and gaskets that can wear down with age, drops, or a screen or battery replacement that wasn't done with fully compatible parts. Most manufacturers don't guarantee the original rating holds indefinitely, and several explicitly note it can degrade with normal wear.
A phone that easily passed a splash test when new isn't guaranteed to perform identically after a couple of years of daily use, drops, and repairs.
Does water resistance affect your warranty?
This varies by manufacturer and region, so it's worth checking your specific device's documentation rather than assuming either way. As a general pattern, many manufacturers' standard warranties still exclude liquid damage even on water-resistant models, treating the IP rating as a resistance feature rather than a liquid-damage guarantee.
Accidental damage protection plans, where available, are usually the more relevant coverage for water-related issues, separate from the standard warranty.
What this means for everyday care
Treat a water-resistance rating as reducing risk, not eliminating it: dry the phone promptly after any splash, avoid pushing the rating's limits deliberately, and don't assume the speaker will sound normal immediately after any water exposure just because the phone is rated.
If sound is muffled after a splash despite a high IP rating, that's still ordinary surface water on the grille — the same drying and light cleaning steps apply regardless of the rating.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Phone shows a liquid warning despite being IP68 rated | The rating limits internal damage risk; it doesn't prevent sensors from detecting surface moisture. | Dry the phone the same way you would any wet device before charging. |
| Water resistance seems worse after a screen repair | Non-original parts or seals can compromise the original rating. | Ask specifically whether water-resistance seals were restored during any repair. |
| Phone got wet in saltwater and now smells or feels sticky | Saltwater residue behaves differently than fresh water and can affect ports and speakers more. | Rinse briefly with fresh water if the manufacturer's guidance allows it, then dry thoroughly. |
When to see a repair shop
- The phone was submerged well beyond its stated depth or time rating.
- Water resistance seems to have failed after a repair involving the back cover or seals.
- Salt or chlorinated water exposure with any lingering odor, stickiness, or corrosion.
- Persistent liquid warnings that don't clear after thorough drying.
Related tools
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is IP68 the same as waterproof?
No — "waterproof" implies no water resistance limit at all, while IP68 describes tested resistance under specific, limited lab conditions. Manufacturers generally avoid the word "waterproof" for exactly this reason.
Can I take an IP68 phone swimming?
Check your specific manufacturer's guidance — some explicitly advise against swimming or diving even with a high IP rating, since chlorinated or moving water and pressure at depth aren't the same as the lab test conditions.
Does a higher second digit always mean better protection?
Generally yes for depth and duration, but two ratings from different manufacturers aren't always directly comparable since the exact tested depth and time within the "IP68" bracket can differ.
Why does my phone still get a muffled speaker if it's rated for water?
The rating is about preventing internal, damaging water ingress — it doesn't prevent water from briefly sitting on the outer grille surface, which is what causes muffled sound.
Does dust resistance, the first digit, matter for speaker sound?
Yes, indirectly — a high first-digit rating reduces how much dust and lint typically reaches the grille, though it doesn't make a phone immune to pocket lint over time.