IP Ratings & Water Damage

IP RATINGS & WATER DAMAGE

The IP Rating of a Smartphone device indicates the degree of protection against external factors like water, dust, and dirt. The IP Rating refers to the level of protection offered by an enclosure for electrical equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 72.5 kV. This rating is important for smartphones as it helps to determine the effectiveness of the phone's cover against external factors that can cause harm to your device. Although this rating is widely used in fields such as construction, mechanics, and manufacturing, it is relevant for smartphones to assess the degree of protection they provide.

NO SMARTPHONE DEVICE, REGARDLESS OF IP RATING IS 100% WATERPROOF.

Although a smartphone may have the highest possible rating of IP68 (such as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, Galaxy S22 Ultra, and Oneplus 10 Pro), it is not completely waterproof. The IP68 rating indicates the level of water resistance, which is determined by the duration, depth, and other factors of water submersion that the device can tolerate before it is damaged. Different manufacturers may have different specifications for different models regarding depth, duration, and other factors. To determine the IP rating of your particular device, you can refer to the manual or use a search engine to find out more.

CAN I RESTORE AN IP RATING?

When it comes to the IP Rating of a device, it is measured based on a new device that has not been damaged or impacted. However, if a smartphone has already been damaged, the initial IP Rating of the device is already compromised.

No repair authority can restore an original, factory fresh ip rating once a smartphone has been damaged

If a phone is damaged, it cannot be evaluated for its IP Rating. Thus, it would be unwise to claim that the device can be restored to its original state with respect to the IP Rating.

WHY IS AN IP RATING IMPORTANT?

Manufacturers always list an IP Rating (or IP Code) in the specifications of your smartphone. The relevance of this rating depends on the intended use of the device. If the device is to be used in dusty or wet environments, a higher IP Rating may be necessary for safe and uninterrupted operation. However, for general everyday use, the importance of the IP Rating is subjective and varies from person to person.

The most common reason for including an ip rating on smartphones is to protect against daily dust particles and water spillages, or water damage.

HOW DO I READ AN IP RATING?

DIGIT 1 - INDICATES THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION FROM FOREIGN BODIES (DUST) FROM A SCALE OF 0-6.

DITIT 2 - INDICATES THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUID OR WATER 'INGRESS' OR SEEPAGE FROM A SCALE OF 0-8.

If we take the relevant information from the IP Rating Tables below; we will be able to calculate the level of Ingress Protection (IP) on a smartphone such as an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.(IP67)