What do IP68 and other IP ratings mean?
Short answer
The IP rating shows how well a device is protected. The first digit is dust (up to 6, dust-tight), the second is water (up to 8, submersion beyond 1 metre as defined by the maker). IP68 phones survive rain and a short drop in fresh water, but the rating is not a guarantee for swimming or salt water.
How to read it
IP stands for Ingress Protection. An X instead of a digit means that part was not tested: IPX4 earbuds were tested for splashing water but not for dust.
- IP68: dust-tight, submersion beyond 1 m (depth and time set by the maker)
- IP67: dust-tight, up to 1 m for 30 minutes
- IP54 / IP55: some dust protection, splashing or water jets
- IPX4: splash-proof, fine for sweat and rain
- IP48: protected against submersion, but only against larger dust particles
What the rating does not cover
Tests are done with fresh water in the lab on new devices. Salt water, chlorine, hot showers, soap and pressure from jumping into water can all cause damage. Seals also age over time. Most manufacturers exclude water damage from the warranty.
Questions and answers
Can I swim with an IP68 phone?
It is not recommended. IP68 covers accidental submersion in fresh water, not swimming, chlorine or salt water.
Are IP68 and water resistance on watches the same?
No. Watches often use ATM or metre ratings, such as 5 ATM, which are made for swimming. IP ratings are not designed for that.