● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
IP68 Rating Misleading for Phone Water Resistance, Warranties Often Exclude Water Damage
Key points
- IP68 rating does not mean a phone is fully waterproof in all conditions.
- IPX8 specifications vary by manufacturer, unlike lower IP ratings.
- IP testing uses pure, still water, not real-world liquids or movement.
- Most phone warranties do not cover water damage, even for IP-rated devices.
Understanding IP Ratings
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, established by the International Electrotechnical Commission, indicate a device's resistance to solids and liquids. The first digit denotes solid matter resistance (up to 6 for dust), and the second digit indicates water resistance (up to 9). An 'X' means a specific protection hasn't been tested.
IP68 Specifics and Ambiguities
While IPX7 specifies resistance up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, IPX8 specifications are largely determined by individual manufacturers, only stating it can survive more than a meter. For example, newer iPhones rated IP68 can handle up to six meters for 30 minutes, while older models with the same rating might only withstand two to four meters.
Real-World Limitations of Water Resistance
The conditions under which IP ratings are tested do not reflect typical real-world use. Tests are conducted with pure, still water, not hot, salty, muddy, or chlorinated water, and the phone is submerged gently. These discrepancies mean that a phone's performance in everyday water exposure may differ significantly from its rated capabilities.
Warranty Exclusions
Despite high IP ratings, most phone warranties do not cover water damage. This includes devices that explicitly advertise ruggedness, such as the OnePlus line, where liquid damage voids the warranty. This policy further highlights the gap between perceived water resistance and actual protection for consumers.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
Reporting from
The IP68 rating for smartphones, while indicating water resistance, does not guarantee full waterproofing in real-world conditions, and most phone warranties do not cover liquid damage. The testing conditions for IP ratings differ significantly from typical use, leading to potential user misunderstanding about device durability.