IP67 vs. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance – What Does it Mean?

IP67 vs. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance - What Does it Mean?IP67 vs. IP68 questions? What do IP water resistance/dust resistance ratings actually mean? Use this IP__ comparison chart to understand water resistance and dust resistance ratings in smartphones. Waterproof smartphones have become increasingly more popular since 2013, with major phone manufacturers adding water resistance & dust resistance ratings to their phones recently. There are significant differences between waterproof and water-resistant and that’s where IP ratings come in.

Ingress Protection (IP) Ratings

Rating Dust Protection Rating Water Protection Rating
IP67 Totally protected against dust. Protected for up to 1m of immersion for up to 30 minutes, including splashing from a shower or an accidental (and brief) dunking.
IP68 Totally protected against dust. Protection against submersion beyond 1m. May mean that device is hermetically sealed or that any water that does get inside will cause no damage.

Here’s What IP Ratings Mean

The table below is a breakdown of all Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. The first digit after IP is the rating for protection against solids while the second digit after IP is the protection rating against liquid. Compare IP67 vs. IP68 or other ratings to see if your phone is protected.

First Digit IP__ Protection Against Solids Second Digit IP__ Protection Against Liquid
The first of the two digits (the 6 in IP67) refers to protection against solids, including dust. Products are rated using a 0-6 scale, with 6 being the most well protected. The second digit in the IP rating (the 8 in IP68) refers to the level of protection against liquids.
IP0_ No protection. IP_0 No protection.
IP1_ Protection against objects up to 50mm. Also, protection against any large surface of the body, such as the back of the hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part. IP_1 Minimal protection against vertical drops of water, such as very light rain.
IP2_ Protection against objects up to 12.5mm, along with fingers or similar objects. IP_2 Protected against vertical drops of water when the device is tilted at 15° from its normal position.
IP3_ Protection against objects up to 2.5mm, such as thick wires or tools. IP_3 Protection against sprays of water when the device is tilted at 60° from its usual position, including rain.
IP4_ Protection against objects up to 1mm, including most wires and screws. IP_4 Protection from sprays and splashes of water from any direction.
IP5_ Not entirely protected from dust, but enough to significantly affect performance significant damage. IP_5 Protection against water sprayed directly from a low-pressure nozzle measuring 6.3mm, from any direction.
IP6_ Totally protected against dust. IP_6 Protection from high-powered water jets with a 12.5mm nozzle, from any direction, such as a shower.
IP_6K Protection from high-powered water jets with a 6.3mm nozzle, from any direction, such as a shower, for at least 3 minutes.
IP_7 Protected for up to 1m of immersion for up to 30 minutes, including splashing from a shower or an accidental (and brief) dunking.
IP_8 Protection against submersion beyond 1m. May mean that device is hermetically sealed or that any water that does get inside will cause no damage.
IP_9K Protection from high-powered water jets at close range with high temperatures for at least 30 seconds from 4 angles.
IPX_ If a rating is given as X, rather than a number, this doesn’t mean the product doesn’t offer any protection, it instead means it hasn’t been tested or assigned a level in that specific area. IP_X If a rating is given as X, rather than a number, this doesn’t mean the product doesn’t offer any protection, it instead means it hasn’t been tested or assigned a level in that specific area.

What are IP ratings?

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings tell users exactly how much protection against liquids or solids a product actually offers. The IP standard was drawn up by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IEC is a global organization responsible for setting international standards for electronic devices. IP ratings include two digits, for example, IP67 or IP68. As described in the first table, you can see that both IP67, as well as IP68, are both totally protected against dust (by the IP6_ rating). The second digit of IP67 or IP68 shows what water resistance rating the phone has.

Keep in mind that a rating at level 8 for waterproofing, does not mean coverage for levels below it. For example, the iPhone 7 has an IP67 rating (it can withstand brief submersion), it hasn’t been rated to survive a jet of water (levels 5 and 6). The device would survive being dropped in the bath. However, Apple admits the phone should not be taken into the shower. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty.

IP67 vs. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance Ratings

  • IP67 liquid protection rating – IP67 is protected for up to 1m of immersion for up to 30 minutes, including splashing from a shower or an accidental (and brief) dunking.
  • IP68 liquid protection rating – IP68 devices are protected against submersion beyond 1m. May mean that device is hermetically sealed or that any water that does get inside will cause no damage.
  • IP67 vs. IP68 dust protection rating – Both IP67 and IP68 rated devices are rated as being totally protected against dust.
Share "IP67 vs. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance – What Does it Mean?"

IP67 vs. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance – What Does it Mean?

×
×

Cart