You have probably asked yourself, "Is my phone really waterproof?" In this article, we will answer that question and help you understand how manufacturers approach this issue.

Waterproofing standards

Manufacturers are subject to waterproofing standards. So what do these standards correspond to?

Waterproofing standards for smartphones are specified by protection ratings called IP (Ingress Protection), which measure resistance to dust and liquid infiltration.

The two leading smartphone manufacturers,Apple, and Samsung, comply with waterproofing standards that guarantee protection against various elements such as immersion in water, accidental spills of water, coffee, soda, and dust infiltration.

Deciphering and understanding the protection rating:

The rating will begin with IP and be followed by two digits.

- The first digit indicates protection against dust:

0: No protection
6: Total protection against dust

- The second digit indicates protection against water:

0: No protection
7: Protection against immersion in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes
8: Protection against deeper immersion (generally up to 1.5 or 2 metres for 30 minutes)

Apple's waterproof standards:

Apple uses IP67 and IP68 standards for its various smartphone models. The former corresponds to a basic level of protection, while the latter is more advanced.

This standard applies to iPhones from the 7 series to the 16 series.

- IP67: This standard means that the device is completely protected against dust (first digit: 6) and can be submerged in water up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes (second digit: 7).

- IP68: This standard is more stringent in terms of water protection. It indicates that the device is protected against dust and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 metres or more, sometimes up to 2 metres deep for 30 minutes.

The following models have obtained the IP68 protection rating defined by International Electrotechnical Commission standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes):

iPhone 16
iPhone 16 Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 13
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max

The following models have obtained the IP68 protection rating defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission's standard 60529 (maximum depth of 4 metres for up to 30 minutes):

iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max

The following models have obtained the IP67 protection rating defined by International Electrotechnical Commission standard 60529 (maximum depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes):

iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
iPhone XR
iPhone X

iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus

Apple recommends a number of precautions for iPhone users despite high waterproofing standards:

Swimming or bathing with an iPhone
Exposing an iPhone to pressurised water or fast-moving currents, such as when showering, water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing or jet skiing, etc.
Using your iPhone in a sauna or steam room
Intentionally submerging your iPhone under water
Using an iPhone outside the recommended temperature range or in an extremely humid environment
Dropping your iPhone or subjecting it to other impacts
Disassembling your iPhone or removing screws
Avoid exposing your iPhone to soap, detergents, acids or acidic foods, and liquids in general, such as perfume, insect repellents, lotions, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, and solvents. If your iPhone comes into contact with any of these substances, follow the instructions for cleaning your iPhone.

Waterproofing standards at Samsung:

Samsung also uses IP67 and IP68 standards on its high-end smartphones, but their implementation varies slightly depending on the model.

- IP67: The device is protected against dust (6) and can be submerged up to 1 metre deep for 30 minutes (7).

- IP68: This standard also protects against dust and allows immersion up to 1.5 metres or 2 metres deep for 30 minutes, depending on the model.

The following models have obtained the IP68 protection rating defined by International Electrotechnical Commission standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes):

Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge,
Galaxy S8
Galaxy S9
Galaxy S10 5G

Galaxy S20/FE
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S22
Galaxy S23

Galaxy Note 8,
Galaxy Note 9,
Galaxy Note 10,
Galaxy Note 20

Galaxy A5 2017,
Galaxy A7 2017,
Galaxy A8 2018

The IPX8 rating is based on test conditions in which the device is submerged in 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. These devices are not recommended for use at the beach or pool, and they are not dustproof.

Galaxy Z Fold3,
Galaxy Z Flip3,
Galaxy Z Fold4,
Galaxy Z Fold5,
Galaxy Z Flip5

The following models have obtained the IP67 protection rating defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission's 60529 standard (maximum depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes):

Galaxy A52 5G,
Galaxy A53 5G,
Galaxy A33

Like its competitor Apple, Samsung advises its users to take a number of precautions to avoid damage related to water resistance:

Do not immerse the product for more than 30 minutes or in more than one metre of water for IPx7 phones, or 1.5 metres for IPx8-rated phones.
Do not expose the product to dirty water or liquids (salt water, chlorinated water, soapy water, oils, perfumes, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, chemicals such as cosmetics, liquids containing alcohol, etc.).
Do not expose the product to high-pressure water.
Do not use the product in abnormal temperatures, such as in saunas and steam rooms, or in places with high humidity.
Do not drop the product or subject it to blows or shocks.
Use the tip provided to open the SIM card tray of the product and press it in completely to avoid gaps when reinserting the SIM card tray. Also, be careful not to allow foreign objects to enter the grooves or SIM card tray.

Where can I find my device's protection rating?

This article provides a list of devices fromApple, and Samsung, along with their waterproof ratings.

If your device is not included in these lists, simply consult your phone's technical specifications on the manufacturer's website, where you will find the IP rating.

On some models, you can find this rating on the box and/or in the phone's settings.

Are our phones really waterproof?

Apple and Samsung offer IP67 and IP68 waterproof protection on their latest models.

However, this protection is neither foolproof nor permanent. Manufacturers still provide recommendations encouraging users not to consider their smartphones completely waterproof.

In fact, they do not guarantee against damage caused by exposure to liquids! If you film underwater during your holidays and your phone stops working, you will have no recourse against the manufacturer.

What should I do if my phone gets wet?

Is your phone no longer working or defective after being exposed to liquid?

You will often hear that you should put it in rice. It may be more complicated than that.
It all depends on the liquid involved, the intensity and the duration of exposure.

Here are the first steps to take:

Remove the SIM card tray
Rinse the phone with water, if the liquid in question is not water
Wipe your phone with a dry, lint-free cloth (such as a lens cloth)
Gently tap the phone in a vertical position, with the charging port facing downwards, in your hand to remove as much liquid as possible
DO NOT dry it with a hairdryer or similar device
You can try using rice. Rice is a very good moisture absorber. Completely submerge your device in rice in an upright position and leave it for a few hours. However, this is not a miracle solution!

If your device still does not work properly after this, contact a repair technician who will be able to advise you on the best course of action depending on the damage.

My phone got wet while it was still under warranty

Manufacturers invariably exclude the warranty from the moment the phone gets wet, despite waterproofing standards.

This is because it is impossible for the manufacturer to verify whether you have complied with the standards (immersion time and depth according to the IP rating).

So even if you did not immerse your phone beyond the immersion time/depth indicated by the IP rating and your phone no longer works, the warranty will not apply.

Will my phone still be waterproof after a repair?

Manufacturers recommend that you do not touch your phone, as this may reduce its waterproof protection.

At World iTech, we always recommend using an adhesive seal during repairs to maintain optimal waterproofing. Of course, waterproofing will depend on the seal being fitted correctly.

Just as with a standard warranty, which is void if the phone gets wet, you will not be covered if water gets inside. In any case, always be careful and do not immerse your phone in water.

However, installing the seal will prevent dust from getting in and protect the internal components.