Since the iPhone 12, Apple has advertised an IP68 water resistance rating under IEC standard 60529, meaning the device can withstand up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
But real-world tests show that IP68 phones can still fail when used for swimming. So, what does IP68 waterproof really mean? Can it truly protect your phone from water damage? In this article, we’ll break down the meaning of IP68, compare it with other waterproof ratings！
Table of Content
- Part 1: What Does IP68 Waterproof Mean?
- Part 2: IP68 Waterproof Case vs Other Ratings?
- Part 3: Is IP68 the highest Waterproof Rating?
- Part 4: Where do I Use an IP68 Waterproof Case?
- Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions about IP68 Waterproof Case
- What is the Best IP68 Waterproof Phone Case？
- Can I go swimming with my IP68 Waterproof iPhone?
- How Many Meters is the waterproof Level IP68?
- Are IP68 Phones Waterproof?
Part 1: What Does IP68 Waterproof Mean?
IP68 stands for intrusion protection against dust and water entering internal components.
This concept was created by the International Electrotechnical Commission under IEC 60529 to classify, with the purpose of judging an enclosure's resistance to the intrusion of solid particles and liquids!
IP: Ingress Protection is shortly claimed.
6: Rating means the enclosure is dust‑tight, offering complete protection against the ingress of dust and contact with internal components. There are 6 levels in total; the higher the level, the better the dustproofness
8: rating indicates the device can withstand waterproof performance!There are 8 levels in total, the higher the level, the better the waterproofness
Part 2: IP68 Waterproof Case vs Other Ratings?
| Rating | Solid Particle Protection | Liquid Ingress Protection |
|---|---|---|
| IP67 | Dust-tight (Level 6) | Immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
| IP68 | Dust-tight (Level 6) | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m (manufacturer-specified) |
| IPX8 | Not rated for solids (X) | Continuous immersion beyond 1 m (manufacturer-specified) |
| IP69K | Dust-tight (Level 6) | Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets |
IP68 vs IP67
Dustproof: Both offer full dust protection (IP6X), which prevents dust from entering the device.
Waterproof:
IP67: The device can be immersed in 0.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
IP68: The device can be immersed in 1.5 meters of water for more than 30 minutes; the specific depth is determined by the manufacturer.
IP68 vs IPX8
Dustproof: IP68 provides dust protection, while IPX8 only focuses on water resistance and does not provide dust protection.
Waterproof: Both can be immersed in water more than 1 meter deep, but IPX8 does not provide dust protection.
IP68 vs IP69K
Dustproof: Both offer full dust protection.
Waterproof:
IP68: Suitable for water immersion environments, usually for daily waterproof needs.
IP69K: Suitable for high-pressure water vapor jets, suitable for environments that require rigorous cleaning
Part 3: Is IP68 the Highest Waterproof Rating?
IP68 is one of the higher waterproof levels currently, but it is not the highest waterproof level. The highest waterproof level currently is IP69K!
Part 4: Where do I Use IP68 Waterproof Case?
You can use the IP68 waterproof rating. Applicable scenarios:
Daily waterproofing: rain, splashing water when washing hands, short immersion (such as swimming, showering)
Extreme environments: outdoor adventures, underwater photography
Not recommended for use: seawater, soapy water, high-temperature steam in water that may corrode the device
Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions about IP68 Waterproof Case
What is the Best IP68 Waterproof Phone Case？
Beeasy's phone case provides full-body IP68 waterproof protection, allowing the device to be submerged in water for up to 2 hours and up to a depth of 6.6 feet (about 2 meters). This far exceeds the standard IP68 requirements, ensuring that the device remains safe in a variety of water environments.
Can I go swimming with my IP68 Waterproof iPhone?
No, because iPhone IP68 means no depth to withstand water pressure, calm water, no salt water, it is splashproof and water-resistant!
But when you take the phone into the pool, or even into the sea, which has density and pressure, it is "water-resistant", not waterproof. Liquid damage is not covered by the warranty, so if you wear it to swim, it is very easy to break!
How Many Meters is the waterproof Level IP68?
By IEC 60529, an IP68 rating simply means a device has passed immersion tests beyond 1 meter！
Are IP68 Phones Waterproof?
IP68-rated phones are only water-resistant, not truly waterproof.
According to the IEC 60529 standard, IP68 requires that the phone be immersed in at least 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes; many manufacturers' waterproof performance exceeds this standard, such as Apple testing the iPhone 16 Pro's waterproof depth of 6 meters/30 minutes, but this test is conducted under controlled static laboratory conditions.
In real life, movement, water pressure peaks, seawater corrosion, and aging of seals can all cause water to penetrate.
Come to a Conclusion
Based on the above analysis, if you want to bring your phone into the swimming pool or want to take underwater photos, we recommend that you choose a professional waterproof case, which can not only prevent the erosion of seawater on the phone, but also keep the phone in normal use under water pressure!