Dust-Resistant? Waterproof? Making Sense of Gadget Ratings

You've seen the codes before: iPhone 7/8/X is rated IP67. iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S8 on up are rated IP68. The marketing will claim something about the device being "waterproof," but that's not always the case, and certainly not the entire story. Here's what you need to know when you see those ratings on a product.

In this case, IP doesn't stand for Internet Protocol; it's short for "Ingress Protection" or in some settings "International Protection Marking." The latter comes up because the whole thing is an international standard created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), under the standard 60529. This is all a very big deal in Asia and Europe, and obviously their IP standard has gained a lot of traction in the US as well. The goal is to get away from saying words like "water-resistant" or "dust-proof" by providing numbers with clear definitions, even if they tend to be clear as mud to the uninitiated.

Not everyone with rugged, water- and dust-tight products uses this standard, either. GoPro is a notable exception, but you can generally count on those cameras to take a beating. But what do all the codes really mean?

What It All Means

Ingress means "to enter," thus Ingress Protection is protection against things entering a product's enclosure—specifically in this case, solids (aka "dust;" that's the first number) and water (the second number). A rating of IP67 means it's a 6 against dust, and a 7 against water. There is also an option for a third number to measure impact resistance, but you seldom see it used. That's because any vendor that did use it would look bad when you inevitably crack the screen anyway.

Solids are measured on a scale of 0 to 6, where 6 is the best shielding you can get. Water, however, is measured 0 to 9. That's why something that is listed as IP67 can say "dust-tight" but only "water-resistant." (None of the ratings are fond of using the word "proof" because nothing is ever fool-proofed in the long run.)

Here's a breakdown of the ratings.

It's important to remember, these are all laboratory conditions. They are not real-world tests. While they sound daunting for your beloved device, they're not the same as what you'll encounter IRL. They don't take into account things like being in a soaking wet backpack, or taking pictures underwater during a long swim, or the presence of saltwater or highly chlorinated pool water.

In other words, just because it has a good IP rating, doesn't mean you should push it, especially with the water. And again, notice no manufacturer rates smartphones on impact resistance.

So, to recap on the ratings you are most likely to see on electronics:

• IP6X: Dust-safe but not tested for water protection.

• IP65: Dust-protected, but only water-resistant. You could probably talk in the rain for a while, but it's toast if you take it in the pool, lake, or ocean. Don't drop it in the toilet.

• IP66: Don't worry about the dust; you may also be okay if sprayed with a hose while you're on the phone. But again, immersion in water is a no-no. 

• IP67: This device never has to worry about dust and can go underwater up to 1 meter for half an hour (but better to keep it at just a few minutes or seconds). It cannot handle jets, not even in a hot tub. (Not to mention, it's not rated for high temperatures.) 

• IP68: Same as the IP67 except it can probably stand the pressure of going just a few feet deeper in the water. Devices rated IP68 include most modern smartphones: All the Samsung Galaxy models since the S8, all the iPhone 11 versions, Huawei P30 Pro and Mate 20 Pro, Sony Xperia 1 and Xperia 5, Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Razer Phone 2, and LG G8X ThinQ.

• IPX8: This is one where the testing was all about water, with dust ignored. The Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis ebook readers both make this claim—all the better for reading in the bathtub. Also note that just because it wasn't tested for dust ingress means dust can get in—obviously, if it's tight enough to keep out water it should keep out particles. Amazon, after all, expects you to take the Kindles to the beach.

• IP69:  Phones with this rating have been put through 30-second water tests at four angles with 16 liters-per-minute at 176 degrees Farenheit. Few devices actually have this rating, save for rugged phones designed for those who work in extreme conditions.

There are some new phones that are not IP rated at all, like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, but that's probably because bending an LCD screen is inherently not something that protects internals against dirt and moisture. That said, it's a pretty crucial omission for a phone that costs a lot.

What About Durability?

Few manufacturers in the US are using the IEC-IP standard for durability on consumer electronics. But some have found a way to trumpet their products' ruggedness.

(Ruggedized, by the way, is just a marketing term. Don't take it to heart.)

The Military Standard, aka MIL-STD, or better yet, MIL-SPEC, is how the US Department of Defense measures things to get a baseline standard for equipment. The one that most pertains to consumer electronics—because many manufacturers like to brag that their products are up to military standards—is MIL-SPEC-810G, which specifically tests for the longevity of a device under adverse environmental conditions.

Products with MIL-SPEC-810G certification are tested against all sorts of things: temperature extremes, shocks, drops, taking a bullet, freezing/thawing, acid, fungus, even if it the device could start a fire around flammable gas. However, the settings for each of these isn't necessarily standardized, which is a problem for a standard. For example, a device might be tested for freezing at 0 degrees Celsius by one company; others might go higher or lower in tests. Others might just test it for getting repeatedly dropped.

Devices with MIL-SPEC-810G testing include not only smartphones but also laptops like the Panasonic Toughbook 31 (which is also IP65). Phones include the LG G8 ThinQ and  Kyocera DuraForce PRO 2 and phones you can't get in the US like the Ulefone.

Don't Drop It

Even if you do have a device with a good IP rating or a MIL-SPEC certification, the manufacturer almost always states something in the fine print indemnifying it from any fault damage, especially from water. The warranty just won't cover it. After all, seals can fail—especially if exposed to things like saltwater or chlorine. The company line will typically be something like "water resistance isn't a permanent condition and may diminish over time" (that's Apple's line on the Apple Watch).

And never, ever charge your device if it's still wet. That's going to kill it fast.

In all cases, just because a product is rated well doesn't really mean you should go using it underwater, in sandstorms, or start dropping it off a five-story tower, classic-David Letterman-style. The electronics just aren't there. Yet.

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