The latest premium phones have amazing cameras with telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, AI features, great battery life with fast and wireless charging, and, of course, durable designs. One of the most crucial aspects when it comes to the latter is water resistance, backed by an ingress protection rating. But what does this really mean, and what should you know about purportedly “waterproof” phones? Here’s a rundown so you’re prepared for that inevitable accidental dunk in the toilet, drop in the pool, and run in the rain.
What Does Ingress Protection Mean?
An Ingress Protection rating, set by the International Electrotechnical Commission, is delivered in the form of the letters IP followed by two numbers. Most commonly with phones, you might see a rating like IP68.
Dust Protection: The first digit doesn’t pertain to water at all, but rather dust particles. This number indicates how well the phone is protected against solid objects, like airborne dirt and dust. If the phone has an “X” in this first spot, it means it is not rated for dust protection and thus dirt and other particles, like sand at the beach, could damage its electrical conductors or moving parts. If it has a number in this spot, this indicates varying degrees of protection. Most commonly with phones, you’ll see the number “6,” which represents total protection against dust. This means the phone is fully sealed and you don’t need to worry about anything harming its internal circuitry. The only premium phones you might find without this rating are foldables since the design sometimes means dust and dirt could technically damage the hinge or even the screen should it get trapped inside.
With an IP69 rating, you can safely use your OnePlus 13 in water, with high-pressure jets, even hot water.
Water Protection: The second number in an IP rating relates to water resistance. This involves not only exposure to water but also water pressure. Some phones, for example, can withstand a bit of rain or splashes of water but can’t be submerged. Some can be submerged but can’t withstand high-pressure jets of water from a jet ski ride, for example, or a hose or sprinkler. A “5” rating for a phone that might be IPX5 or IP65 means that it can withstand water projected by a nozzle against the enclosure, but it cannot be submerged nor withstand more powerful jets. A “7” for an IP67 device, for example, means it can be immersed up to one metre of water temporarily, but not for long periods of time.
A Galaxy S24 Ultra is installed on a Paris 2024 sailing competition buoy at Marseille Marina.
Most premium phones meet the “8” number for this rating, which indicates that they can be submerged in more than a metre of water, usually for up to about 30 minutes. So, you can bring the phone in a pool and take photos, rinse it off if it gets dirty, or confidently go for a run with it exposed in light rain. The OnePlus 13, which is scheduled to arrive in Canada in January 2025, is purportedly the first phone to meet both the IP68 and IP69 specifications. This means it can handle not only submersion but also close-range, high-pressure and high temperature sprays. This could be a game-changer for those who want to use their phones in the most demanding conditions, especially outdoor adventurers and field workers.
Like many foldables, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold meets a standard water-resistant rating, but it isn’t rated against dust, mostly due to the hinge design.
What to Know About Ingress Protection
Keep in mind that even with a rating of IP68 or even IP69, there are some precautions you should take.
Avoid Saltwater: No IP rating pertains to saltwater, so you’re best to keep your phone out of the ocean or use a waterproof protective case or pouch if you do, even if it’s rated as water-resistant or waterproof. Salt can corrode components of the phone. You don’t have to panic if your phone gets splashed with saltwater, especially if you rinse it off right away. But heed caution around saltwater sources.
Be Cautious Around Chlorinated Water: Every pool imaginable has some level of chlorine and that should theoretically be OK. But when you’re looking at very heavily chlorinated pools (think public indoor pools at community centres or kids’ indoor water parks), you might want to think twice about bringing your water-resistant phone in the water. For a standard backyard pool with just enough chlorine to keep it clean, however, it should be fine.
Hot Tubs: Unless the phone has an IP69 rating like the OnePlus 13, a hot tub is probably out of the question. This is not only because of the powerful jets but also the high temperature. The phone will be OK if you keep it off to the side of the hot tub to take a photo here and there or check your messages, as long as you don’t actually submerge it.
Water-Resistance Degrades Over Time: As with any electronic device, the water-resistant rating will degrade over time. So, if you have a phone with an IP68 rating that’s several years old, especially if it has cracks and scratches, it won’t be as resistant to water as it was when it was brand new. Keep this in mind as the device ages.
Warranty Voiding: Even if you think your phone will be fine by the ocean or diving further than the rating says, stick with what the manufacturer indicates to avoid warranty issues. If you bring your phone in for warranty repair, for example, and evidence of saltwater is detected, your warranty may be voided.
Get A Waterproof Case Anyway: Even if your phone meets an IP68 rating, it’s still worthwhile to invest in a waterproof case if you want to use the phone in the ocean while on vacation. You can find great waterproof cases from brands like Otterbox and Lifeproof. I prefer simple plastic waterproof pouches with slider closures and lanyards. With these, it’s simple to take the phone in and out as needed and it’s still relatively easy to operate the phone’s controls while it’s inside. You can find an abundance of options on Amazon.
Phones Are More Durable Than Ever
From stainless-steel and titanium designs to the latest Corning Gorilla Glass screens, the newest premium smartphones are more durable than ever. Many have been tested against drops, bumps, falls, and yes, even water exposure. You can rest assured that if you buy a new phone, it likely has a rating that suggests it’s not only safe to use nearby water, but even in it. This doesn’t mean you should seek out ways to get your phone wet. But if it does end up in the pool or left on the patio table in the rain, don’t worry. It should be just fine.
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