You'll see "IP68" on almost every flagship phone spec sheet. It's a real, standardised rating — but it doesn't mean what most people think.
What the letters and numbers mean
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The rating system is defined by the international standard IEC 60529. It has two digits:
| First digit — solids (dust) | Second digit — liquids (water) | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Dust-protected (some dust may get in, not enough to harm it) | Water jets |
| 6 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | — | Temporary immersion (up to 1 m, 30 minutes) |
| 8 | — | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m — conditions set by the maker |
| 9 | — | High-pressure, high-temperature water jets (written IP69 or IP69K) |
An X means "not tested" for that part. IPX4 means splash-resistant, with no dust rating at all.
So what is IP68 exactly?
- 6 = dust-tight.
- 8 = survives being under water deeper than 1 metre for a period the maker chooses. That's why spec sheets add details like "up to 6 m for 30 minutes".
Two IP68 phones can have different depth and time limits — always read the maker's full wording (we show it next to the rating on every product page).
Water-resistant, not waterproof
Makers test new phones in lab conditions, with fresh water at room temperature. In real life:
- Seals age. Drops, heat and repairs can weaken the gaskets.
- Salt water, chlorine, soap and hot water (showers, saunas) can damage seals and ports.
- Pressure matters. Jumping into a pool or using a phone in fast water can exceed the test pressure.
That's why most makers' warranties do not cover water damage, even on IP68 phones.
IP67 vs IP68 vs IP69
- IP67 — fine for rain, splashes and a quick drop in the sink.
- IP68 — a bit more margin for accidental dunks.
- IP69 — adds resistance to high-pressure, hot water jets; mainly useful for rugged phones.
For everyday life, the difference between IP67 and IP68 is small. Both are good; neither is a licence to swim with your phone.
If your phone gets wet
Wipe it dry, don't charge it until the port is dry, and don't put it in rice — let it air-dry. If it was in salt water, the maker's support pages usually recommend rinsing briefly with fresh water and drying fully before charging.
Sources
- www.iec.ch /ip-ratings
- www.t3.com /news/what-ip-ratings-mean-ip68-water-dust-explained