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01What does IP68 mean on a phone?
IP68 means your phone is sealed against dust and passed a lab test of continuous submersion deeper than 1 meter. IP stands for Ingress Protection, and the code comes from IEC 60529, an international standard for how well an enclosure keeps things out.
IP + solids digit (0-6) + liquids digit (0-9)So IP68 = top dust rating (6) + submersion beyond 1 m (8). An X, as in IPX8, means that half wasn't tested.
The two digits are separate tests. A phone can be great at one and untested at the other. That's why you'll see earbuds rated IPX4 (splashes, no dust rating) or Samsung's foldables rated IP48 (good water rating, but only protection against solid bits larger than 1 mm, not dust).
- Standard
- IEC 60529
- First digit (6)
- Dust-tight: no dust gets in
- Second digit (8)
- Continuous immersion beyond 1 m
- Depth and time
- Set by the manufacturer, not the standard
- Test water
- Fresh water in a controlled lab
02The full IP code, digit by digit
Most phones land at the top of both scales, but knowing the lower numbers helps when you're comparing earbuds, speakers, smartwatches or a cheap backup phone.
| Digit | First digit: solids | Second digit: liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No protection | No protection |
| 4 | Objects over 1 mm (wires, small screws) | Splashing water from any direction |
| 5 | Dust-protected: some dust gets in, not enough to cause harm | Water jets from a nozzle |
| 6 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets |
| 7 | n/a | Temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
| 8 | n/a | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m, conditions set by the maker |
A quirk worth knowing: the water digits aren't strictly cumulative. A phone rated for submersion hasn't necessarily been tested against high-pressure jets, which is one reason manufacturers tell you to avoid pressure washers, water sports and strong shower spray.
You'll also see IP ratings on accessories. A wireless earbud case at IPX4 shrugs off sweat; a waterproof pouch at IPX8 is built for submersion. Read the second digit for water and the first for dust or sand, and treat an X as "not tested" rather than "zero".
03How deep can an IP68 phone go?
Because the standard lets the manufacturer set the test for the 8, two IP68 phones can have very different limits. Here's what the makers actually state.
| Phone | Rating | Maker's stated limit |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 through iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, 16e, 17e | IP68 | 6 m for up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo | IP68 | 6 m for up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max | IP68 | 4 m for up to 30 minutes |
| iPhone 11, XS, XS Max | IP68 | 2 m for up to 30 minutes |
| Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra | IP68 | 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes, fresh water |
| Pixel 10 series | IP68 | Rated IP68 under IEC 60529; check Google's safety guide for your model |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | IP48 | Water-rated, but not dust-tight |
Two things the table hides. First, the 30-minute limit is a test duration, not a countdown. A phone that's been under for 31 minutes isn't automatically dead, and one that's been under for 2 minutes isn't automatically safe. Second, depth changes pressure. Jumping into a pool with the phone in your pocket, or dropping it from a dock, hits the seals harder than gently lowering it into a lab tank. That's the gap between a rating and real life.
A 6 m rating is a safety margin for accidents, not permission to take underwater photos. Apple lists swimming and bathing among the things to avoid. Want to compare the two common ratings? See IP67 vs IP68.
04What IP68 covers and what it doesn't
+What IP68 means
- Survives a drop in the sink, toilet or a puddle
- Fine in rain and splashes
- Sand and pocket lint stay out of the internals
- Gives you time to fish it out of a pool
–What it doesn't promise
- Not tested in salt water, chlorine, soap or drinks
- Not rated for hot water, steam or saunas
- Not rated for pressurized water or water sports
- Not permanent: seals age, and drops or repairs can weaken them
- Not a warranty promise
That last point catches people out. Apple says splash, water and dust resistance "are not permanent conditions" and that liquid damage isn't covered under its standard warranty. Google's Pixel safety guide says liquid damage voids the warranty. The rating describes how the phone left the factory, not a guarantee about yours today.
05How to keep your phone's water resistance
- Protect the screen and back glass. A cracked panel is no longer sealed. A tempered glass protector and a case with raised edges take the hit instead.
- Rinse after salt or pool water. A gentle stream of tap water, then dry it with a lint-free cloth.
- Keep it out of hot showers and saunas. Heat and steam are harder on the adhesive than a quick dunk.
- Dry the port before charging. If it gets wet, follow what to do if you dropped your phone in water.
- Assume less protection after a repair. Third-party screen or battery swaps may not restore the original seal.
- Use a pouch for planned water time. Beach days, kayaking and pool parties are pouch jobs, not seal jobs.
Glass protection to keep the screen intact, and pouches for when you know water is coming.
Pouches carry IP ratings too, and they're worth reading the same way. Our blog breaks down what a pouch rating really means.
Questions people ask
Is IP68 waterproof?
No. IP68 is water resistant. It means the phone passed a submersion test in fresh water beyond 1 meter in a lab. Manufacturers still advise against swimming, showering or using it in salt water, and the protection weakens over time.
Can I take my IP68 phone in the pool?
It will likely survive a short accidental dip, but chlorine isn't part of the test and swimming is on Apple's list of things to avoid. If you plan to use the phone in or near the pool, put it in a waterproof pouch and rinse it with tap water if it gets splashed.
What is the difference between IP68 and IPX8?
Both have the same water rating. The X in IPX8 means the product wasn't formally tested or rated for dust. IP68 adds the top dust rating, so the device is dust-tight.
Does water damage void the warranty on an IP68 phone?
Usually, yes. Apple's standard warranty excludes liquid damage, and Google says liquid damage voids the Pixel warranty. Water resistance ratings describe lab performance, not coverage. Check whether your insurance or protection plan covers accidents.
Does IP68 wear off over time?
Yes. Apple and Google both say water and dust resistance aren't permanent. Adhesive seals age, and drops, cracks or repairs can open gaps. An older phone shouldn't be trusted around water the way a new one might.