IP68 certification? IP67? What does it all mean?

Let us begin by pointing out that the IP rating is used to specify the type of protection offered by the electronic device and is directly linked to the environments in which the device can be used. These ratings are assigned after multiple tests have been carried out.

Do these ratings have any link to the IP addresses we talk about regarding network connections? Well, no, young Jedi, as IP in this case means ‘Internet Protocol’ and refers to internet connections, which has no connection to water resistance.

How do I read the IPXX code?

The IP code is made up of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid bodies and the second digit indicates the level of protection against liquids. The higher the digit, the better the protection.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these evaluations are not only based on dust and water protection but also on water pressure protection, among other things. In addition, ratings are rather objective: it’s not the manufacturer that assigns them but the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). You can see below what each of the digits in an IP code mean.

First digit of the IP rating

First digit	Meaning
0	No protection (this can also be represented with an X)
1	Protection against solid objects measuring up to 50 mm³
2	Protection against solid bodies measuring up to 12 mm³
3	Protection against solid objects measuring up to 2.5 mm³
4	Protection against solid objects measuring up to 1 mm³
5	Protection against dust, limited ingress of dust (posing no risk to the device)
6	Complete protection against dust

Second digit of the IP rating

Second digit	Meaning
0	No protection (this can also be represented with an X)
1	Protection against vertically dripping water (condensation)
2	Protection against water spray when vertically tilted at 15°
3	Protection against water projections at any vertical angle up to 60°
4	Protection against water projections from all directions – minor ingress
5	Protection against jets of water from all directions – minor ingress
6	Protection against slight jets of water, limited ingress (under the casing, for example)
7	Protection against effects from immersion in liquids between 15 cm and 1 m in depth​​​​
8	Protection against long immersion periods and water pressure

Ultimately, it’s important to understand that protection against immersion is directly linked to water pressure. This means that damages will be more significant if the device is exposed to a powerful jet of water than if it falls into a puddle.

That being said, it must be emphasized that even if a smartphone is completely protected against dust, it doesn’t mean that it’s also completely water resistant under all immersion levels or water pressures.

Which smartphones are waterproof?

For example, the Galaxy S5 has an IP67 rating. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s better than the Xperia Z2 which has an IP58 rating. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the first device may be completely protected against dust but the second device can be immersed under water for a longer period.

Pay attention to the technical datasheets. Manufacturers rarely equip their devices with well-rounded IPXX protection. Sony is one of the only ones. Samsung, for example, doesn’t provide the Note 4 or the Galaxy S6 with protection against water or dust.

Current smartphones that are protected against water or dust:

Model	Certification
Sony Xperia Z	IP57
Sony Xperia Z1	IP58
Sony Xperia Z2	IP58
Sony Xperia Z3	IP68
Sony Xperia Z3	IP68
Sony Xperia Z5 / Z5 Compact	IP68
Sony Xperia  X Performance	IP68
Sony Xperia XZ	IP68
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active	IP67
Samsung Galaxy S5	IP67
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active	IP67
Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini	IP67
Samsung Galaxy S7 / S7 edge	IP68
Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3	IP67
Quechua Phone 5	IP54
iPhone 7 / 7 Plus	IP67

Is your smartphone protected against water and dust? What rating does it have? Please let us know in the comments below!