If you’ve ever spilled a pint of beer all over your phone then you’ll know the importance of water resistance. It can mean the difference between a quick wipe with a cloth or an expensive trip to buy a new phone. Waterproofing used to be something found only on those burly, rubber-sealed phones designed for construction workers or downhill mountain bikers, but water resistance has become pretty much the norm in all today’s phones, including the iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Even Google’s affordable Pixel 8A is water resistant.
Not all phones can withstand a dunk in water though, and some shouldn’t be near liquid at all. Almost no phones should be taken swimming in a pool, and ocean swimming is still out of the question, unless you’re using a water-tight case of some kind. If you’ve shopped for a phone recently, you’ll have come across terms like “water resistant,” as well as the now common IP67, IP68 and IPX8 ratings. But what do those ratings really mean and, crucially, how waterproof is your expensive new phone?
Let’s break down the jargon and find out.
What do IP67, IP68 and IPX8 mean?
Ingress protection ratings (also known as international protection ratings) are a standard set forth by the International Electrotechnical Commission. According to the organization, the codes are designed as a “system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment.”
The first number in the rating code represents the amount of protection provided against the entry of foreign solid objects, such as sand or dust. These protection levels range from a low of 0 to a high of 6.
The second number represents the degree of protection against the entry of moisture or liquid, with protection levels ranging from a low of 0 to a high of 8.
Nothing’s earbuds are IPX4 rated, which is enough to keep them safe from sweat during your workouts.
Sometimes you’ll see an IP rating with a number replaced with an X, such as IPX8. In this instance, a company hasn’t provided testing details so the rating number is replaced with an X. An IPX8-rated device can survive being submerged in water then, but it hasn’t officially been rated for any protection from dust or other particles.
The iPhone 16 Pro has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s protected from dust getting inside and can withstand being submerged in water. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is also IP68 rated. So they’re equally water-resistant, right? Well, no. That’s where it gets confusing.
For an 8 on the IP rating, the IEC demands a device can withstand being submerged in at least 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Beyond that, it’s up to the manufacturer. The S25 Ultra can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, while Apple says the iPhone 16 Pro is safe in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. So while any phone with an IP68 rating will have had to hit that 1 meter-30 minute minimum threshold, it’s important to check the fine print and see exactly what your phone offers.
For further details on all the IP ratings, you can see charts at the end of this article outlining the protection levels set by the IEC.
The OnePlus Nord 2 does not have any stated resistance to water — keep phones like this extra safe when you’re around liquids.
My phone doesn’t have an IP rating. Can it get wet?
In order for a company to advertise that their product has an IP rating at all, it needs to have undergone strict tests to ensure it meets the requirements. These tests can be timely and costly, so it’s understandable that some companies simply don’t want to spend the cash, particularly when it comes to budget-focused models.
Some phones instead use terms like “water-repellent” or “water-resistant” without an official IP rating. These handsets may make use of methods like rubberized seals or water-repellent nano coating to keep moisture at bay. While these phones may well survive an accidental dunking, it’s worth keeping them safe from being fully submerged in water. But you shouldn’t need to worry too much about taking calls in the rain.
If your phone makes no mention of water resistance, then it’s best to assume that it has none and you should take as much care as you can around liquids.
Solid protection
