What Does IP68 Mean? Phone Water Resistance Explained
IP68, IP54, IPX7 — what do these codes actually tell you about a device water and dust resistance? And can you really dunk your phone?
When you buy a phone, earbuds or a smartwatch, brands love to advertise «IP68» or «IP54». But what do those numbers really mean, and can you actually swim with your phone? Here is the plain version.
What does an IP code mean?
IP stands for «Ingress Protection» under the international standard IEC 60529. Two digits follow the letters:
- First digit (0–6) – protection against solid particles, mainly dust.
- Second digit (0–9) – protection against water.
The higher the number, the better the protection. If a letter X replaces a digit (for example IPX7), that feature simply was not tested – usually the dust rating.
First digit: dust
The top level is 6, meaning not a single dust particle gets in (dust-tight). That is why flagships like iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 carry a «6».
Second digit: water
| Digit | What it means |
|---|---|
| 4 | Splashing from any direction |
| 5 | Water jets (a hose) |
| 6 | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m for 30 min |
| 8 | Immersion deeper than 1 m (depth set by the maker) |
For example, IP68 means full dust protection plus resistance to immersion. Only the depth differs: iPhone 16 survives up to 6 m for 30 minutes, while Samsung Galaxy S25 handles up to 1.5 m. IP54 earbuds such as the Apple AirPods Pro are protected only against splashes and sweat, not immersion.
Does IP68 mean «waterproof»?
No. It means resistant, not sealed forever. Worth knowing:
- Testing is done in fresh, still water in a lab. Salty seawater, pool chemicals and soapy water are not covered.
- Resistance fades over time as seals and adhesives age.
- Liquid damage is usually not covered by warranty.
So you need not panic if your phone is caught in the rain or dropped in the sink, but deliberately filming underwater for long stretches is a gamble.
What about watches?
Smartwatches often state water resistance not with an IP code but in metres under ISO 22810 (for example 5 ATM or WR50). That measures resistance to moving water, which suits swimming better. The Apple Watch Ultra 3, for instance, is rated WR100 (100 m) and is fit for diving to 40 m, on top of being IP6X dust-tight. A regular IP68 phone is not built for swimming: «7» and «8» cover only still-water immersion, not active movement in water.
What to check when buying
- IP68 – the best protection for an everyday phone: rain, splashes, a brief dunk.
- IP54/IP57 for earbuds – enough for workouts and rain; a «7» allows a short dip, a «4» only splashes.
- For swimming or diving, look for an ATM / metre rating, not just IP.
- If a device gets wet in salt or pool water, rinse it with fresh water and dry it.
