Phone Water Resistance Ratings Explained: What IP67 and IP68 Actually Mean

Published 2026-10-16 · Marion Phone Repair

Your phone says it is IP68 water resistant, but does that mean you can take it swimming? Take underwater photos? Use it in the shower? The short answer is that water resistance ratings describe lab conditions that do not match real-world use, and the protection degrades over time. Understanding what the rating actually means — and what it does not — helps you avoid expensive water damage that your warranty will not cover.

What IP ratings mean

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The two-digit number after IP describes two things:

First digit (6 in IP67/IP68): Dust protection on a scale of 0 to 6. A rating of 6 means the device is completely dust-tight — no dust particles can enter the enclosure. Every modern flagship phone rated IP67 or higher has a dust rating of 6
Second digit (7 or 8): Water protection on a scale of 0 to 9. This is the number that matters for liquid exposure, and the difference between 7 and 8 is significant

IP67 water protection

IP67 means the device survived submersion in fresh water up to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) deep for up to 30 minutes under controlled laboratory conditions. Phones with IP67 ratings include the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and many mid-range Samsung Galaxy devices. This rating protects against accidental drops into shallow water — a sink, a puddle, a toilet — if retrieved quickly.

IP68 water protection

IP68 means the device survived submersion deeper than 1 meter for longer than 30 minutes, but the manufacturer defines the exact depth and duration. Apple rates the iPhone 15 Pro for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. Samsung rates the Galaxy S24 series for up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Both are IP68, but Apple tests at four times the depth Samsung does. The IP68 label alone does not tell you the actual depth — check the manufacturer's specifications.

What the rating does NOT cover

The IP rating is tested under specific laboratory conditions that are very different from how people actually encounter water:

Fresh water only

IP testing uses fresh, still, room-temperature water. It does not account for:

Salt water (ocean, sea): Salt is corrosive and leaves mineral deposits on seals and connectors. A single ocean submersion can cause corrosion that develops over days or weeks, even if the phone appears fine immediately after
Chlorinated water (pools, hot tubs): Chlorine degrades rubber and silicone seals faster than fresh water
Soap and detergent: These lower the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate seals that would stop plain water. Washing your phone with soap or using it in the shower with body wash running over it is riskier than plain water submersion
Hot water: Steam and hot water cause thermal expansion that opens gaps in seals. Shower steam is particularly bad because it condenses inside the phone as it cools

Still water only

IP testing is done in still water with no pressure beyond the water column above the device. Water jets, waves, splashing from a faucet, and the force of jumping into a pool all create pressure that exceeds what the seals are rated for. High-pressure situations like water skiing, jet skiing, or even holding the phone under a running faucet push water past seals that would survive calm submersion.

New device only

The IP rating reflects the phone's condition when it left the factory. Water resistance degrades through normal use:

Drops and impacts: Even a drop that leaves no visible damage can flex the frame enough to compromise the adhesive seal between the screen and the body. A cracked screen or cracked back glass provides a direct path for water regardless of the original IP rating
Temperature cycling: Moving between hot and cold environments (a warm car to cold winter air) repeatedly causes materials to expand and contract, gradually weakening adhesive bonds
Age: The adhesive that bonds the screen to the frame degrades over 2 to 3 years. A 3-year-old IP68 phone does not have the same water resistance as a new one
Repairs: If the screen, battery, or back glass has been replaced — even by an authorized service center — the water resistance may not be restored to factory levels unless the repair specifically included resealing. Third-party repairs almost never restore the original seal

What your warranty actually covers

This is the critical point most people miss: water damage is NOT covered under the standard warranty of any major phone manufacturer, despite the water resistance rating they advertise:

Apple: The iPhone warranty explicitly states that liquid damage is not covered. Apple's marketing says water resistant, not waterproof, and the warranty terms make the distinction clear
Samsung: Same — the Samsung warranty excludes damage caused by exposure to liquid

Every phone has liquid contact indicators (small stickers inside the SIM tray slot or charging port that change color when exposed to moisture). If a technician sees a tripped indicator during a warranty evaluation, the repair is classified as liquid damage and denied under warranty regardless of the IP rating.

Practical rules for protecting your phone

Treat water resistance as accident insurance, not a feature to use intentionally. The rating means your phone will probably survive an accidental drop in the sink or getting caught in rain — not that you should take it in the pool
Never charge a wet phone. Water in the charging port can cause a short circuit that damages the charging components or the battery. Let the port dry completely — Apple recommends waiting at least 5 hours. If you see a liquid detection warning on the charging screen, do not override it
After any water exposure, dry the exterior thoroughly. Shake water out of the speakers and charging port (hold the phone with the port facing down and tap gently). Do not use a hair dryer or compressed air — heat damages internals and compressed air can push water deeper into the device
Avoid the shower. Steam, hot water, and soap are three separate risk factors that all apply simultaneously in a shower. This is one of the most common causes of water damage in IP68 phones
For intentional underwater use (snorkeling, pool photos), use a waterproof case. A dedicated waterproof phone pouch rated for the depth you need costs under twenty dollars and provides actual sealed protection rather than relying on factory adhesive that may have degraded
If your phone has been repaired, assume the water resistance is compromised unless the repair provider specifically stated they resealed the device to factory standards

What to do if your phone gets wet

Remove the phone from water immediately
Power it off if it is still on — do not try to check if it works first
Remove the SIM card tray to allow airflow into the interior
Shake water out of the charging port and speakers (port facing down)
Wipe the exterior with a lint-free cloth
Place the phone in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. A fan blowing across the phone helps evaporation. Do not put it in rice — rice dust can clog ports and rice does not accelerate drying compared to open air
Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before powering on or charging. Patience here prevents short circuits that cause permanent damage
If the phone was submerged in salt water, rinse it briefly with fresh water first to remove salt before drying — salt crystallizes as it dries and causes ongoing corrosion

Water damage help in Marion

If your phone was exposed to water and is showing symptoms (screen issues, speaker muffling, charging problems, or it will not power on), Marion Phone Repair can open the device, assess the extent of liquid damage, clean corrosion from the circuit board, and determine whether a full repair is possible or which components need replacement.