Blog · · 6 min read
IP67 vs IP68 explained: is your phone really waterproof?
Short answer
IP67 and IP68 are water-resistance ratings, not waterproof guarantees. The 6 means dust-tight; 7 means the device survived immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes in lab tests, and 8 means immersion beyond that — the exact depth and time are set by the manufacturer, for example 6 meters for 30 minutes on recent iPhones. Tests use still, fresh water, resistance degrades over time, and liquid damage usually isn't covered by warranty. Even an IP68 phone can get water in its speaker grille — which is why sound goes muffled and a water eject cycle fixes it.
"Waterproof" is how phones are often described in conversation. Manufacturers are careful never to use that word. What they advertise is an IP rating — Ingress Protection, defined in the international standard IEC 60529 — which describes how well a device keeps out dust and water under specific test conditions.
How to read an IP rating
The first digit is protection against solids (dust), the second against liquids. An "X" means that category wasn't tested.
| Rating | Dust | Water | Typical devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Not tested | Splashes from any direction | Earbuds, some speakers |
| IP54 | Dust protected | Splashes | Some earbud cases, budget phones |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Immersion to 1 m for 30 min | Older flagships, many Bluetooth speakers |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Immersion beyond 1 m, conditions set by maker | Most current flagship phones |
Because IP68's depth isn't fixed by the standard, two IP68 phones can have very different real ratings. Recent iPhones are rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes; many Android flagships, including Samsung's Galaxy S series, list 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Check the spec sheet for your exact model.
What the rating doesn't cover
- Salt water, pool water and other liquids. Tests use fresh water. Apple and Samsung advise rinsing with fresh water after exposure to anything else — see salt water and pool water.
- Pressure and movement. Jumping into a pool, water-skiing, jets, and waves create pressure well beyond still-water tests.
- Heat and steam. Apple advises against using iPhones in saunas and steam rooms and against exposing them to high-velocity or hot water. Steam and heat can affect seals.
- Soap and shampoo, which lower surface tension and get past seals more easily than plain water.
- Drops and wear. Apple states that splash, water and dust resistance aren't permanent and may decrease as a result of normal wear. A drop that cracks the frame or glass can compromise the seals without visible damage.
- Repairs. A screen or battery replacement may not restore the original seals, depending on who did it.
Is water damage covered by warranty?
Usually not. Apple's warranty and Samsung's standard warranty both exclude liquid damage, even on IP68 phones. Phones contain liquid contact indicators that change color when they've been exposed, which technicians check. Separate insurance or protection plans may cover it.
Why an IP68 phone still gets a muffled speaker
This confuses a lot of people: "my phone is IP68, so why does it sound terrible after getting wet?" Because the rating is about water getting inside the phone. The speaker has to be open to the air to make sound, so it's protected by a water-resistant membrane and a fine mesh at the grille — and water sitting on that mesh, outside the seal, is exactly what makes sound muffled. The phone is fine; the grille just needs clearing. A pulsed 165 Hz tone moves the speaker's diaphragm enough to push the droplets out — the physics is explained here.
Practical rules for water-resistant phones
- Treat IP68 as protection against accidents, not permission to swim with the phone.
- Rinse with fresh water after salt water, chlorine or sugary drinks, then dry it.
- Don't charge with a cable while the port is wet.
- Clear the speaker with a water eject cycle after any exposure.
- Expect resistance to fade after a few years, drops or repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP68 waterproof?
No. IP68 is a water-resistance rating based on lab tests in still fresh water at a depth and time set by the manufacturer. It protects against accidental immersion but isn't a guarantee against water damage.
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
Both are dust-tight. IP67 means the device survived immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP68 means it passed a tougher test beyond 1 meter, with the exact depth and time specified by the manufacturer.
Can I swim with an IP68 phone?
It isn't recommended. Swimming involves movement, pressure and usually chlorinated or salt water — all outside the test conditions — and liquid damage isn't covered by standard warranties.
Does water resistance wear off?
Yes. Apple states that resistance is not permanent and may decrease with normal wear. Drops, age, heat and repairs can all weaken the seals.
Why is my waterproof phone's speaker muffled after getting wet?
Water is sitting on the speaker's mesh outside the internal seal. It's not a sign the phone is damaged. Hold it speaker-down and run a 165 Hz water eject cycle to clear it.