IP67 vs IP68: What Phone Water Resistance Really Buys You

A phone survives a splash in an advertisement. That does not make it a sensible underwater camera, and an IP68 label does not give every model the same tested depth.

Treat water resistance as a useful precaution against accidents, with conditions attached. When choosing a phone, read the manufacturer's exact depth, duration and care guidance. When buying used, ask what has happened to the device since it left the factory.

The number is only the start of the specification

The IP code describes ingress protection, with separate parts for solids and water. Samsung’s IP-rating guide explains how to read the two digits. For buying decisions, the important point is that “IP68” alone leaves out relevant conditions. Apple's own iPhone documentation lists different IP68 models tested at maximum depths of two, four or six metres for up to 30 minutes; it also lists IP67 models at one metre for up to 30 minutes. These are model-specific laboratory conditions. Apple's resistance table shows the differences.

A shopper comparing two IP68 phones should therefore read both full specifications. Copy the limits into a note alongside the model names. If the seller gives only “waterproof,” look for the actual manufacturer documentation instead.

A rating is also not a score for every possible liquid, temperature, pressure or accident. A sink splash, a hot shower and a moving stream are different situations. Avoid translating a controlled test into a guarantee for all three.

Age and repairs change the buying question

Apple says water resistance is not permanent and can diminish with normal wear. A device that has been dropped or opened deserves extra questions. Do not treat a used phone's original launch specification as a fresh inspection of that particular unit.

Ask a refurbished seller whether the screen or battery was replaced, who performed the repair, and what the seller actually warrants about the device's condition. A vague “fully tested” label is less useful than a written explanation of the checks and exclusions.

Do not ask the seller to dunk the phone as proof, and do not perform a water test at home. Passing one improvised demonstration does not establish future protection; failing it can destroy the item you just bought.

Put the rating in context with your daily use

For someone who walks in the rain, resistance may be a useful extra alongside a grippy case and sensible handling. For someone filming swimming lessons, it does not remove the need to choose equipment specifically intended for that use.

A practical buying worksheet has four questions:

• What exact accidental exposure am I trying to protect against?
• What does the manufacturer say the model was tested for?
• What is known about this unit's damage and repair history?
• What would losing the phone and its unbacked-up data cost me?

That last question often points to a backup habit as well as a hardware feature. Keeping important photos and recovery information safe reduces the consequences of many accidents that no IP rating addresses.

If the phone gets wet, follow its own instructions

Disconnect accessories and consult the manufacturer's guidance before charging. Apple advises against external heat and inserting objects into an iPhone's connector when drying it. Do not extrapolate an exact waiting period from another brand or assume the outside being dry proves the charging port is ready.

If the device shows a liquid warning or behaves abnormally, follow its support instructions. A shopping guide cannot determine whether water entered your individual phone.

Read the warranty and service terms separately from the rating. Apple states that liquid damage is excluded from its warranty while noting that consumer-law rights may apply. Other sellers and plans have their own terms; a resistance badge is not an insurance policy.

Should you pay extra for IP68?

It can be a useful feature, but compare it with the whole device. A modest upgrade cost may be worthwhile if accidental splashes are common in your day. Paying much more solely for a bigger-looking label is harder to justify without reading the conditions.

If you are comparing a new Android with a repaired iPhone, our refurbished phone checklist covers battery, support and seller questions that belong beside water resistance.

Source-based explanation checked October 8, 2026. No immersion, seal or repair testing was performed. Follow the care instructions for your exact model.