How water and dust resistant is your smartphone? The IP rating provides the answer.
When searching for a new smartphone, there are many specifications you can consider. Most of these features speak for themselves, but what does the IP rating say about your smartphone? The Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicates the degree of protection a smartphone has against dust and water.
For certain sectors, this indication of dust and water resistance can be very relevant. Think of industrial production, agriculture, or construction sectors, where smartphones are quickly exposed to dust, sand, or water.
Nowadays, many smartphones are waterproof, but there are still different gradations between devices. What do these numbers mean exactly?
Water and dust
The Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicates how dust and water resistant a smartphone is. This indication can be relevant in certain industries where devices are regularly exposed to dust, sand, or water. The label also tells you if you can take your smartphone on a beach vacation.
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Moreover, the IP rating is part of the new ecodesign label that Europe recently introduced. This EU label for smartphones and tablets shows how long your device will last based on various factors, including battery life, repairability score, and thus also the IP rating.
Two digits
The IP rating is displayed with two digits. The first digit indicates protection against dust, ranging from zero to six, with six being completely dustproof. The second digit reflects the degree of protection against moisture, ranging from zero to eight.
The higher the number, the better the device is protected. So if you have an IP rating for water of one, it can at most withstand vertically falling drops like rain. With a rating of four, water can flow from all sides, and at eight, the device is completely waterproof.
The IP rating of a smartphone is usually not on the device’s housing. Be sure to check the specifications or consult the manual for this information.
Waterproof?
When your device has a high IP rating for water, it doesn’t mean you can go deep-sea diving with it. The number rather indicates “accidents” and not intentional prolonged submersion.
Moreover, an important note must be made. When we talk about water, in this case, it refers to pure water and not seawater. Salt water has greater consequences for electronic devices. A waterproof case or bag is therefore still not unnecessary protection if you take your device to sea.
A good IP rating?
The best IP grade is thus IP68, where both the dust and water resistance numbers are at their maximum. An extremely poor IP rating would be IP00, although this rarely occurs in consumer electronics. Most devices enjoy at least minimal protection, such as IP20. In the overview below, you get an overview of the IP rating and the corresponding degree of protection.
| IP code | Dust resistance | Water resistance |
| IP68 | dustproof | The device can remain underwater for 30 minutes or longer up to three meters |
| IP67 | dustproof | The device can remain underwater for max. 30 minutes up to one meter |
| IP57 | dust-protected | The device can temporarily remain underwater at less than one meter |
| IP54 | dust-protected | The device is protected against splashing water from all directions |
| IP52 | dust-protected | It is protected against vertical drops such as light rain |
Digit X
Some IP values contain the letter “X”. This means that the aspect (dust or water) has not been tested or claimed. IPX6, for example, means that the device has a water protection grade of six, but no dust guarantee is given. “X” does not necessarily mean there is no protection, but that it has not been officially tested.
Not mandatory
Manufacturers are not obligated to add the IP rating to their specifications. However, it is commercially advantageous to do so. The IP rating is determined according to an international standard (IEC 60529) and conducted in an accredited test laboratory.
The tests can also be performed internally by manufacturers, but for official communication, they have this verified by external parties. After successful tests, the device is then officially allowed to carry the IP rating. When companies do not have this officially tested, the code can be used purely for informational purposes.
It’s important to know that the IP rating does not guarantee protection against water damage. Most manufacturers explicitly exclude water damage from their statutory warranty conditions, regardless of the IP rating.