How waterproof is your phone really? IP ratings and practical tips
IP67 or IP68 on the box does not mean your phone is indestructible. I explain what the numbers really mean and what to do when your phone gets wet.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-02-27
How waterproof is your phone really?
We hear it a lot at the counter: "my phone is waterproof, it can handle a splash." In practice it is rarely that simple. As the owner of The Phone Shopper, with years of repair experience behind me, I see phones come in every day that still ran into trouble after contact with moisture. So let me explain what those numbers on your box mean and what you can actually do with them.
What does that IP code mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. It is an international standard that shows how well a device is protected against dust and water. The code has two digits: the first covers dust, the second covers water. For example: IP67 or IP68. Put simply, the higher the number, the better the protection.
- IP6x = completely dust tight.
- IPx7 = temporary immersion (up to 1 metre, usually 30 minutes).
- IPx8 = designed for immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer (those can vary per model).
Important: these tests take place in a controlled environment with clean, still water. They do not account for salt water, chlorine in a swimming pool, pressure differences or wear and tear. So "waterproof" on the packaging does not mean your phone is indestructible around water.
Why the word waterproof causes confusion
People often think waterproof is waterproof, full stop. But manufacturers test brand new devices. A two-year-old phone with a worn seal, a previously replaced screen or a damaged charging port no longer has that original protection. We see it regularly in our shop in Nijverdal: customers believe their device is still as well protected as on day one. Unfortunately, that is often not the case.
Practical rules: what is fine and what is not?
Here is the no-nonsense list I give friends and customers. It prevents a lot of grief and a fair few expensive repairs.
- A splash or accidental dunk: usually no disaster. But do not deliberately leave your phone sitting in water.
- Shower or sauna: best avoided. Soap, steam and heat attack the seals.
- Salt water: never on purpose. Salt is aggressive and causes corrosion you will not spot straight away.
- Spilled drink: drying it quickly helps. Do not put it in rice; a dry cloth and a professional check are far smarter.
In short: treat your device as water resistant, not indestructible. That keeps down the risk of turning up at our counter after a dip with a broken camera or speaker.
How to read an IP rating digit by digit
For anyone who wants to compare at a glance, here are the most common ratings translated into real life:
| IP rating | Protection | In practice |
|---|
| IP54 | Basic splash protection | Handles rain, no immersion |
| IP65 / IP66 | Protection against water jets | Survives heavy rain or a garden hose |
| IP67 | Immersion up to 1 metre, 30 min | Survives a drop in the toilet or the sink |
| IP68 | Deeper and longer (manufacturer decides) | Survives a brief dunk, but not a swimming session |
Remember: the conditions differ per manufacturer, so read the small print. And once a device has been opened for a repair, the water resistance is often gone simply because the housing has been opened. That is why we always ask whether a device has been opened before.
What do we do in the shop when a phone is wet?
At The Phone Shopper on Willem Alexanderstraat 11 we have plenty of experience with wet devices. First we check whether the water damage indicators have been triggered. Then we open the device where possible, clean it and dry it under controlled conditions. Sometimes a thorough clean is enough. Other times there is corrosion and components need replacing, which is why we keep a large stock of spare parts on the shelf. Just call us on 0548-549536 if you are unsure.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
A few patterns keep coming back:
- "My phone fell in the toilet": get it out of the water, switch it off and come straight in. Do not try to charge it or turn it on.
- "The screen has been odd since the beach day": salt and sand act like an abrasive and cause contact problems. Have the device cleaned.
- "It was in the shower and seemed fine": steam and soap are deceptive. When components fail, it sometimes only happens days later. Have it checked.
A golden tip: always keep a recent backup. Securing your data before anything happens saves an enormous amount of stress. We help customers with that in the shop too.
Why speed decides everything with water damage
Once moisture is inside a device, corrosion often starts within hours. The longer you wait, the deeper it eats into the circuit board and the connectors. A device you bring in the same day has a far better chance of full recovery than one left for a week "to dry out". That is exactly why we always say: when in doubt, come straight in. Our is set up for it.
Want to know how waterproof your phone is?
Drop by our shop in Nijverdal. We will check it quickly and give you honest advice. The Phone Shopper is here for you with refurbished iPhones, repairs and straight talk about trade-ins. Would you rather part with your old device? Then see what it is worth on our trade-in page. Visit us at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 or call 0548-549536. Prefer online? Take a look at our website or send us a message, though a quick visit to the shop is sometimes the fastest route.
See you soon at The Phone Shopper. And remember: "waterproof" is a handy word, but a little caution prevents a lot of misery.
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