Almost every phone, pair of earbuds and smartwatch sold in India now quotes an IP rating such as IPX4, IP54 or IP68. With monsoon rain, sweaty commutes and gym sessions, it is a useful number to understand, but it is widely misread. An IP68 phone is not a waterproof phone, and IPX4 earbuds are not shower-proof. This guide decodes the digits, explains why two IP68 phones can have very different depth claims, and covers the caveats in the fine print.
Quick answer
- IP stands for Ingress Protection, defined by the international standard IEC 60529. The first digit covers solids such as dust (0 to 6), the second covers water (0 to 9).
- An X means that category was not rated. It is not a zero, but you should not assume any protection.
- IPX4: resists splashing from any direction. Fine for sweat and light rain, not for washing under a tap.
- IP54: dust protected plus splash resistant.
- IP67: dust tight, and survives immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes in lab tests.
- IP68: dust tight, and survives immersion beyond 1 metre under conditions set by the manufacturer, so depth claims differ by brand.
- Ratings are tested with fresh water in a lab, can weaken with age, and liquid damage is often excluded from warranty.
How the IP code works
The IP code comes from IEC 60529, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission. It describes how well an enclosure keeps out solid objects and water, based on standardised lab tests. The format is IP followed by two characters: the first for solids, the second for liquids.
First digit: solids and dust
- 0: no protection.
- 1 to 4: protection against objects from larger than 50 mm (such as a hand) down to larger than 1 mm (such as wires and small screws).
- 5: dust protected. Some dust may get in, but not enough to interfere with normal operation.
- 6: dust tight. No dust gets in under the test conditions.
Second digit: water
- 0: no protection.
- 1 to 3: dripping water, and spray up to 60 degrees from vertical.
- 4: splashing water from any direction.
- 5: water jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle.
- 6: powerful water jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle.
- 7: temporary immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
- 8: continuous immersion beyond 1 metre, with depth and duration specified by the manufacturer.
- 9: close-range, high-pressure, high-temperature spray (around 80 degrees Celsius). Rare on personal gadgets.
Water ratings above 6 are not automatically cumulative. Immersion tests (7 and 8) differ from jet tests (5 and 6), so an IPX7 or IPX8 device is not necessarily rated against water jets. A product tested for both may list both, for example IPX5/IPX7.
What the X means
In IPX4 or IPX7, the X means that category was not tested or declared. Earbuds often carry ratings like IPX4 because only water resistance was tested. That does not prove dust gets in, but it gives you no assurance either.
The common ratings, decoded
IPX4: common on earbuds
IPX4 means resistance to splashing from any direction, meant to handle sweat and light rain. Apple rates AirPods Pro (1st generation) and AirPods (3rd generation) IPX4 and describes them as sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, not for swimming or showering.
IP54: newer earbuds and some phones
IP54 adds dust protection to IPX4-level splash resistance. Apple lists AirPods Pro 2 with the USB-C MagSafe case and AirPods 4 at IP54. A charging case can have a different rating from the earbuds: Apple says the cases supplied with first-generation AirPods Pro are not water or sweat resistant.
IP67: immersion to 1 metre
IP67 means dust tight plus immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. Apple rated older iPhones, including the iPhone 7, 8, X, XR and 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SE, at IP67. Some earbuds use the similar IP57; Apple lists AirPods Pro 3 at IP57, rated to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes.
IP68: most flagship phones
IP68 means dust tight plus immersion beyond 1 metre. It is the most common rating on mid-range and flagship phones, but the two digits alone tell you less than you might think.
Why IP68 depth differs by brand
IEC 60529 does not fix one depth or time for the 8 rating. The conditions must be more severe than the IPX7 test, and the manufacturer declares the exact depth and duration. So two IP68 phones can be tested very differently:
- Apple rates the iPhone 12 through iPhone 17 series, including iPhone Air and iPhone 16e, at IP68 to a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.
- Apple rated the iPhone 11 Pro to 4 metres and the iPhone 11 to 2 metres, both for up to 30 minutes.
- Samsung says its IP68 Galaxy devices are water resistant in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes.
Read the full specification line, including depth and time. These tests are done on new devices in still water under controlled conditions, so a 6 metre rating is not an invitation to swim with your phone. Apple itself advises against swimming or bathing with an iPhone and against intentionally submerging it.
Watches often use a different system
Many smartwatches quote water resistance in metres or ATM under ISO 22810:2010, a watch standard, instead of or alongside an IP rating. Apple says Apple Watch Series 2 and later are rated to 50 metres under ISO 22810:2010, suitable for shallow-water activities such as pool or sea swimming. Apple Watch Ultra models are rated to 100 metres and EN13319 compliant, which Apple says allows recreational scuba diving to 40 metres. Series 7 and later are also rated IP6X for dust.
A 50 metre rating does not mean diving to 50 metres. Apple still advises against high-velocity water such as water skiing (for non-Ultra models), high diving, saunas and steam rooms.
The caveats in the fine print
Sweat, soap and cosmetics
IPX4 and IP54 earbuds are designed to cope with sweat, but Apple recommends wiping AirPods dry after workouts with a soft, lint-free cloth, without heat or compressed air. Apple warns that soaps, cosmetics, cleaning agents, acidic substances and oils can harm seals and acoustic membranes, and advises minimising iPhone exposure to soap, perfume, insect repellent and sunscreen.
Salt water and swimming pools
IP tests use fresh water. Samsung advises against immersing its devices in hot water, salt water, ionised water or soapy water, and recommends gently rinsing with still fresh water and drying thoroughly if any other liquid gets on the device. It also advises against using the device in very humid places such as pools and bathrooms, and against forceful water such as tap flow and ocean waves.
Hot water, steam and showers
A hot shower combines heat, steam, water pressure and soap, very different from a still-water lab test. Apple advises against using an iPhone in a sauna or steam room or under high-velocity water such as a shower, and Samsung advises against hot water.
Ageing, drops and repairs
Water resistance is not permanent. Apple says iPhone resistance might decrease with normal wear, and that AirPods and Apple Watch cannot be rechecked or resealed. Samsung warns that drops can damage water and dust resistance. If your phone has been opened for a screen or battery repair, ask the service centre whether the seals were replaced.
Warranty
Apple states that liquid damage is not covered under its iPhone warranty, although consumer law rights may still apply. Other brands set their own terms, so check the warranty card or the brand’s India support page. An IP rating reduces the risk of accidental damage, but it is not insurance.
How to choose: a practical checklist
- Gym and running earbuds: IPX4 or IP54 is the practical minimum. Wipe them after every session.
- Monsoon commuting: IP54 or better earbuds and an IP67 or IP68 phone give more margin against rain.
- Phones: compare the full IP68 line including depth and time.
- Swimming: use only devices the maker explicitly approves for swimming, usually a watch with an ISO 22810 rating.
- Fine print: read the salt water, hot water and warranty guidance on the brand’s support page.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP68 better than IP67?
For water, generally yes, because IP68 is tested beyond the 1 metre IPX7 test. Both offer the same dust-tight protection. Since IP68 depth is set by the manufacturer, compare the actual depth and time each brand quotes.
Can I swim with IPX7 or IP68 earbuds?
Only if the manufacturer explicitly says they are made for swimming, and most do not. Bluetooth signals also travel poorly through water, so streaming from a phone while swimming usually does not work.
Will IPX4 earbuds survive monsoon rain?
IPX4 covers splashing from any direction, so light rain on a commute is the kind of exposure it targets. It does not cover running water or immersion, so do not rinse them, and dry them before returning them to the case.
What should I do if my phone gets wet?
Follow your brand’s guidance. Samsung, for instance, recommends drying the device with a clean, soft cloth after freshwater exposure, and rinsing gently with still fresh water first if it was exposed to salt water or other liquids. If the phone shows a moisture warning, let the port dry before charging.
