What is an IP rating? Phone water and dust resistance explained

Whether you work at the local pool, have messy pockets or just think you’re accident-prone, chances are that water and dust resistance are high on your list of priorities when choosing that brand new phone.

But the level of protection you get varies greatly depending on whether you have a budget, mid-range or flagship phone.

In general, the degree of water and dust resistance is determined by an official IP rating. Here’s what that means and how to decide which one is best for you.

What is an IP rating?

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are standardized codes used to define your device’s level of protection against dust and water. To receive an IP rating, devices must pass a number of tests conducted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

They consist of two numbers after the letters ‘IP’. The first number indicates the level of protection against solid objects and particles such as dust, with ‘6’ providing total protection. The second number indicates the level of protection against water, with ‘8’ being the highest score.

In addition, if an IP rating contains an ‘X’, this means that the level of protection for that aspect has not been formally recognized. However, the device will likely still offer some protection in this area.

Apple

Apple

Apple

What do the different numbers in an IP rating mean?

Each IP rating usually consists of two numbers, unless there is no formal protection (marked with an X):

Protection against solid objects and particles (first digit)

• X: No protection against contact and ingress of objects
• 1: Protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm, such as a hand
• 2: Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5 mm, such as fingers
• 3: Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm, such as tools and thick wires
• 4: Protection against solid objects larger than 1 mm, such as small wires and screws
• 5: Limited protection against dust ingress; it should not completely prevent the ingress of dust, but should not hinder proper operation
• 6: Complete protection against dust ingress.

Protection against water (second digit)

• X: No protection against water
• 1: Protection against vertically falling drops, such as condensation
• 2: Protection against water droplets up to an angle of 15 degrees from vertical
• 3: Protection against water jets up to 60 degrees from vertical
• 4: Protection against water splashes from any direction
• 5: Protection against low pressure water jets from any direction
• 6: Protection against powerful water jets, such as those from a high-pressure hose
• 7: Protection against immersion in water up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes
• 8: Protection against continuous immersion of more than one meter for up to 30 minutes, the exact depth specified by the manufacturer.

For example, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s IP68 rating means it’s dustproof (6) and can withstand immersion in water more than 1 meter deep for 30 minutes (8). This is currently the best score a phone can get, while water protection may vary per manufacturer.

A rating of 5ATM is even better when it comes to water resistance, as it can withstand submersion to a depth of 50 meters for up to 10 minutes. It is available on many smartwatches and fitness trackers, but not yet on smartphones.

Be sure to check out the best waterproof phones of the moment if you’re looking for a device that can survive the worst.