The biggest vulnerability of modern electronic devices is the risk of dirt or water getting into your device. In order to measure the level of protection, IP rating levels were created.
It is a universal, international system for evaluating device reliability that is used by most companies. When choosing a new smartphone or any other electronic device, you should always pay attention to this rating.
How IP protection is rated
IP stands for Ingress Protection ratings. It was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission and first released in 1976. This rating indicates the level of protection against moisture and dust. It applies to all devices. It is currently the most popular way to compare the resistance of devices.
The letters IP are followed by two numbers. The first one indicates the level of protection against dust. It can be between 1 and 6. Where 1 means the weakest protection and 6 means the device is completely dustproof. It also indicates the general susceptibility to external damage such as scratches or abrasions.
The second digit denotes the level of protection against moisture. This number can range from 1 to 9. After level 7, the device can be completely immersed in shallow water for a short time. Level 8 means that you can submerge the device in shallow water for a limited time. However, the exact depth and time of a possible dive is determined by the manufacturer. This means that different smartphones with level 8 protection can be immersed in different depths and for different amounts of time. The number 9 means that the device can be immersed to a depth and it is also protected against hot streams and high pressure.
In addition, you can also see X instead of numbers. This means that the device is not protected against dust or moisture. This symbol can also mean that the device is simply not certified.
What is the IP level of the most popular devices today
By far the most popular protection standard is IP68. This level of protection will give you total protection against dust and allow you to immerse your device in water for a limited time.
If we talk about specific examples, for example, all the latest iPhones have a protection level of IP68. However, you should understand that they have different depths of maximum submergence. So for example iPhone 11 and 11 Pro have IP68 protection, the maximum submergence depth for iPhone 11 is 2 meters, and for 11 Pro – 4 meters. You should consider this when buying your new smartphone.
Also, this level of protection has the latest Samsung models. In addition, you can find IP68 on various smart speakers, some headphones, and almost all smartwatches. If you see that IP68 is marked on the packaging or in the description, then you should not worry about the fact that the device has fallen into the water or you dropped it in the sand.
