IP67 and IP68 Explained: How Waterproof Is Your Phone Really?
IP67 or IP68 on your phone — but what does it actually mean? Discover how waterproof your device really is and what you're better off avoiding.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-05
Your phone slips into the bathroom sink. It plunges into the pool on a hot summer's day. Or you're caught in the rain and suddenly remember your iPhone is sitting in your jacket pocket. In moments like these, it's reassuring to know your device is IP67 or IP68 rated — but most people have no idea what that certification actually means. And that lack of knowledge can lead to a very expensive repair bill.
Quick summary: IP67 means a phone can withstand submersion in fresh water up to 1 metre deep for a maximum of 30 minutes; IP68 goes deeper (often 1.5 to 6 metres), but even a certified device is not fully waterproof and can still suffer damage due to wear and tear or exposure to non-fresh water.
What do IP67 and IP68 actually mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection — a measure of how well a device is protected against the entry of solids and liquids. The two digits after IP each tell their own story. The first digit (always 6 in these cases) refers to dust protection: a 6 means fully dustproof. The second digit refers to water protection — and that's where things get interesting.
- IP67: protected against submersion in fresh water up to 1 metre deep for a maximum of 30 minutes.
- IP68: protected against submersion in fresh water to a depth specified by the manufacturer — usually 1.5 to 6 metres, also for a maximum of 30 minutes.
The difference sounds significant, but in practice these ratings reflect lab conditions rather than everyday use. We see this every week in our workshop in Nijverdal: devices with an IP68 rating that still show water-related issues — a dead screen, glitches, or a charging port that's stopped working. How is that possible? Read on to find out.
How are IP67 and IP68 tested?
Testing takes place in a laboratory under ideal conditions: clean, still fresh water, a brand-new device with intact seals. That sounds solid enough, but there are a few important caveats.
- One-time measurement: manufacturers test the device once, when it's brand new. After a year of daily use, the rubber seals can already be noticeably less effective.
- No manufacturer guarantee: Apple, Samsung and others explicitly do not cover water damage under warranty — even if your device is IP68 certified.
- Fresh water vs. salt water: sea water or pool water is more aggressive and degrades the seals more quickly. The test only applies to fresh water.
- Water pressure: diving or jumping into water creates greater water pressure than a static lab test — and that can make a real difference.
- Temperature differences: dropping a warm phone into cold water causes materials to expand and contract — something the test does not simulate.
In short: IP67 or IP68 is a useful guideline, not a free pass. Treat your phone with sensible respect around water, even if it carries a high IP rating.
Which popular phones have IP67 or IP68?
Below is an overview of popular models and their water protection ratings. Note that older models sometimes have no IP certification at all, even if they look and feel sturdy.
| Model |
IP rating |
Max. depth |
Max. time |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) |
IP67 |
1 metre |
30 minutes |
| iPhone 12 to 16 |
IP68 |
6 metres |
30 minutes |
| iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max |
IP68 |
6 metres |
30 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 / S24 |
IP68 |
1.5 metres |
30 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy A55 |
IP67 |
1 metre |
30 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
IP68 |
1.5 metres |
30 minutes |
At The Phone Shopper you'll find a wide range of refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung Galaxy devices, every one of them checked for IP seal integrity before it leaves our hands.
What if your phone suffers water damage anyway?
Last week, someone came in from Almelo with an iPhone 13. IP68 certified — but after a dip in the swimming pool, the screen had gone dead. What happened? The seal around the SIM card tray had deteriorated slightly after eighteen months of daily use. Just enough for chlorinated water to seep inside.
Water damage is treacherous because the symptoms don't always appear straight away. Everything might seem fine at first, but after a few days the contact points on the motherboard begin to corrode. By then, it's too late for a simple drying-out session.
If this happens to you, here's what to do:
- Turn the phone off immediately — electricity running through wet electronics is the real culprit.
- Gently shake the water out of the charging port and speaker openings.
- Place the device somewhere dry with good airflow — not in rice (that's a myth), and not near a hairdryer.
- Wait at least 24 hours before attempting to switch it back on.
- Have it checked by a technician afterwards, even if everything appears to be working.
Our certified technicians in Nijverdal use diagnostic equipment to assess water damage properly, so you'll know for certain whether there's any corrosion that could cause problems down the line. Take a look at our or head straight to the for more information.
Is an IP68 device safer than IP67 for everyday use?
In theory: yes. A higher IP rating gives you more margin when accidents happen. But in our experience, most damage doesn't come from deep dives — it comes from small everyday incidents: a glass of water on the bedside table, rain while cycling, or a soaking wet kitchen counter. For those situations, IP67 already offers more than enough protection.
Buying a refurbished device and unsure about the water resistance? That's a fair concern. At The Phone Shopper, we check every device before it goes on sale, including the condition of the IP seals. Devices where the sealing is no longer reliable are either repaired first — or listed in a lower condition grade, such as Lightly Used or Used, so you know exactly what you're getting.
IP67 and IP68 on refurbished phones: what you need to know
It's a question we get regularly in the shop: "Is a refurbished iPhone still waterproof?" The honest answer: it depends on how the device was refurbished.
With cheap refurbished phones from unknown online retailers, the seals are rarely replaced. After a screen repair — which requires the device to be fully opened up — the original seal is sometimes damaged or not reapplied. On paper you have an IP68 device, but in practice it won't hold up to the first drop of rain.
We do things differently. After every repair that requires opening the device, our technicians fit new seals. This way the device retains as much of its original protection as possible. Feel free to browse our refurbished overview for a full explanation of how we inspect and restore our devices.
Rather trade in your current phone for something more reliable? It's easy via our trade-in page — we'll give you an instant valuation and pay out within 24 hours.
Tips to protect your phone — IP rating or not
- Use a sturdy case — even IP68 devices can suffer damage from a drop onto a hard edge. Browse our range of phone accessories.
- Don't intentionally dive or snorkel with your phone, even with an IP68 model.
- Rinse your phone gently with clean fresh water after contact with salt water or chlorinated pool water.
- Regularly check that the SIM card tray is properly closed — it's one of the most common weak spots.
- Avoid charging a wet phone: modern iPhones and Samsung devices will warn you, but it's dangerous even without a warning.
- After any repair, always have the condition of the seals checked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
IP67 offers protection up to 1 metre deep for a maximum of 30 minutes in fresh water. IP68 goes deeper — the exact depth varies by manufacturer, but is usually between 1.5 and 6 metres, also for 30 minutes. Both ratings apply only to clean, still fresh water under laboratory conditions.
Does my warranty cover water damage if my phone has IP68?
No. Manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung explicitly exclude water damage from their warranty, even on IP68 devices. The IP certification confirms that the device passed the test, but it does not provide any commercial guarantee against water damage in real-world use.
Is a refurbished phone still IP67 or IP68?
That depends on the quality of the refurbishment. At The Phone Shopper, we replace the seals after every repair that requires opening the device. We're transparent about each device's condition and list it in one of our clear grades: As New, Almost As New, Lightly Used, or Used — so you always know what you're buying.
What should I do if my IP68 phone suffers water damage?
Turn the device off straight away, shake out as much water as you can, and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours in a warm, dry place. No rice, no hairdryer. Have it checked by a technician afterwards, even if everything seems to be working — hidden corrosion can lead to bigger problems later on. Our workshop in Nijverdal is ready to help.
Can I use my IP67 phone in the rain?
Yes, that's no problem in practice. IP67 is more than sufficient for rain, splashes, and brief accidental submersion. Just don't assume you can comfortably watch a film in the shower — that's asking a little too much of the seals over a longer period.
Does a phone lose its IP rating after a repair?
Strictly speaking, yes — unless the repairer fits new seals and retests the device. At The Phone Shopper, we always use new seals after any repair that requires opening the device. We'll also give you honest advice if the protection can no longer be restored to its original level.
Questions about the water resistance of a specific model, or want to know which refurbished device suits you best? Feel free to drop by at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal, or give us a call on 0548-549536. Our technicians are happy to help — with no obligation whatsoever.
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